The Borno State Governor, Kashim Shetimma has begged youths in the state not to stone or attack the President Goodluck Jonathan and his entourage when he visits the state to campaign today.
The appeal came on the heels of attacks on Jonathan and his entourage in Kastina, the home state of his main challenger, Gen Muhammadu Buhari and Bauchi state earlier in the week.
Apparently to warm himself into the hearts of the people of Borno, the president had two weeks paid a surprise visit to the operational headquarters of the insurgency, Maiduguri the state capital
Governor Shettima, in his appeal contained in a statement released by his media aide, Mallam Isa Gusau on Friday called on his supporters and all citizens of the state to respect the President and his entourage during the campaign visit.
Shettima made the call in a statement by his media aide, Mallam Isa Gusau.
The Governor described the alleged previous attacks on the president as disrespectful, show of intolerance and extremely bad politics.
He said, “From what I have read or heard in the media so far, there has not been any issue of such in any APC-controlled states visited by the President and Borno should not be an exception.
“We have political differences and our differences are legitimate and based on the principles of our political parties and what we stand for.
“But we must remember that His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as citizens of this country, we have an obligation to respect his office and his person.
“Our millions of citizens who support the APC in Borno State and our Presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and anyone that supports me or any of our National and State Assembly candidates in the state should shun any act of violence, intolerance and unlawful political behaviour before, during and after the President’s visit and should remain law-abiding citizens of Borno State as our laws, norms and values demand.”
