The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, has publicly condemned the exclusion of Vice-President Kashim Shettima's photograph from a banner displayed at a major All Progressives Congress (APC) gathering in Maiduguri.
A Controversial Omission in the Vice-President's Hometown
The banner, which was showcased at the event, featured images of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, five APC governors from the North-East region, and the party's National Legal Adviser. However, it notably left out the portrait of Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who is not only the nation's second-in-command but also a prominent son of Borno State.
Speaker Lawan expressed strong disapproval of this action, labeling it as unfair and disrespectful. He questioned the rationale behind removing the image of the sitting Vice-President, especially at an event held in his home state and geopolitical zone.
Speaker Lawan's Heated Remarks and Crowd Reaction
In his address at the venue, Lawan drew a direct parallel to a previous incident, stating, "This is what created the fracas in Gombe, and it's repeating itself here in Borno." He emphasized that he did not know the organizers' motive but insisted that their action was wrong.
"How can the organisers exclude the picture of a sitting vice president, who is from Borno and the North East zone," Lawan added, his remarks met with loud applause from the assembled crowd, indicating strong local support for his position.
Context of the APC Gathering in Maiduguri
The controversial event was the North-East zonal public hearing on proposed amendments to the APC's Constitution. It attracted several governors and key party stakeholders to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on January 19, 2026.
This incident has sparked discussions about internal party dynamics and respect for political figures within their own constituencies. The protest by a high-ranking state official like the Assembly Speaker underscores the sensitivity of the issue and its potential to cause disaffection within the party's ranks in the North-East.
