Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, was conspicuously absent at Saturday’s wedding of the daughter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) factional chairman, Modu Sheriff.
The wedding was graced by top politicians and personalities from across Nigeria.
Mr. Sheriff’s daughter, Halima, married Ronnie Kabo, a captain in the Nigerian Army and aide de camp to the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai.
Mr. Kabo is one of the sons of Kano businessman, Dan Kabo.
Top amongst those who attended the event were former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Baba Shehuri, as well as governors of Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba and Imo states.
Former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, was also at the event.
Mr. Buratai was represented by the Army’s Chief of Administration, Ado Abubakar. The spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Sani Usman, accompanied him.
Politicians appeared to use the occasion for some realignment ahead of 2019. But while some put aside their differences at least momentarily, Borno state’s acrimonious politics had no letup.
The governor, Mr. Shettima, who was backed by Mr. Sheriff to attain power six years ago, avoided the event, alongside his appointees.
The governor and Mr. Sheriff parted ways barely two years after the former assumed office.
But the deputy governor of Borno, Usman Durkwa, was at the Maiduguri international airport where he received the former vice President, Atiku, and other state governors. He later attended the wedding.
Other notable faces at the event are former PDP gubernatorial flag-bearer and now APC chieftain, Kashim Imam, former presidential liaison officer to the National Assembly, Muhammed Abba Aji, former PDP national secretary, Wale Oladipo, former governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido, former PDP 2015 flag bearer for Borno, Gambo Lawan, and former political adviser to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, and oil merchant, Muhammed Ndimi.
The Imam Idayn of Borno State, Asil Asunusiya, led other top clerics to officiate the wedding in accordance to the Islamic rights.
“This wedding is not only about joining Halima and her husband Captain Kabo,” said a strong ally of Mr. Sheriff, Muhammed Kashim. “It is also a sign that our leader is still being loved by his people of Borno state, six years after he has left office”.
