The Demonization Narrative
You remember the headlines. The accusations. The whispers in Abuja’s corridors of power. Now, Vice President Kashim Shettima states it plainly: “I was the most demonised person under Jonathan’s administration.” This isn’t political theater—it’s a raw admission from a man who governed Borno State while it burned. Between 2010 and 2015, Shettima navigated a perfect storm: a ferocious insurgency, a federal government that sidelined him, and systemic corruption that starved his people of resources. His survival wasn’t luck; it was a masterclass in resilience. As we dissect this era through verifiable records and documented actions, you’ll see how survival under pressure forged a leadership philosophy relevant far beyond politics. Let’s walk through the fire together.
The Perfect Storm: Nigeria’s Political Landscape Under Jonathan
Systemic Corruption
You felt it—the palpable anger in the streets when former Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi exposed billions in missing oil revenues. The response involved removing Sanusi. That was the playbook. Officials allegedly diverted billions from state coffers, while security funds meant to fight Boko Haram vanished—trillions unaccounted for. This wasn’t just theft; it fueled the insurgency. In Borno, citizens initially hailed Boko Haram’s attacks on police stations—”they’re robbing and beating us anyway,” survivors testified. Corruption bred nihilism. Shettima inherited this toxicity while the treasury bled.
Boko Haram’s Reign of Terror
Imagine governing a state under siege. By 2015, Boko Haram displaced 2 million people in Borno—Shettima’s constituents. The federal response involved paralysis. When terrorists abducted 276 Chibok schoolgirls, authorities waited weeks before addressing the nation. In 2015, Boko Haram razed Baga, killing thousands. Satellite imagery showed destroyed structures. Shettima pleaded for federal troops, weapons, and emergency aid. He got silence. As governor, he faced an impossible equation: protect civilians with no federal backup while being labeled ineffective by Abuja.
Constitutional Crisis
History repeated itself ominously. Past suspensions of governors using controversial emergency powers set precedent. Jonathan’s administration allegedly plotted to suspend Shettima during Borno’s state of emergency. The goal involved neutralizing a critic. Officials later described pressure to find legal justifications. Shettima wasn’t just fighting terrorists; he was battling institutional betrayal.
Shettima’s Survival Toolkit: Strategies and Turning Points
Constitutional Shield
Here’s where Shettima outmaneuvered the plot. He quietly mobilized allies. Key federal figures blocked the move, declaring the administration lacked power to remove even a councillor. Legal precedent was cited—only state assemblies could suspend governors. This legal armor saved Shettima. Contrast this with recent suspensions using similar playbooks, proving Shettima’s precedent remains a constitutional firewall.
Resourcefulness Amid Scarcity
With federal support evaporating, Shettima turned pragmatist. Federal authorities sent minimal funds for Internally Displaced Persons over four years. Shettima spent exponentially more monthly on IDP camps—verified via state audited budgets. His solution involved radical transparency. He banned cash donations, demanding in-kind aid only. When major donations occurred, Shettima insisted on trailers of food driven directly to camps—no intermediaries. Other state donations were strictly material supplies, not cash.
| Source | Donation | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Government | ₦200M (total) | IDP support |
| Lagos State | ₦50M (2015) | Emergency relief |
| Dangote Foundation | ₦400M | Women’s empowerment |
| Borno State Government | ₦600M/month | IDP upkeep |
Psychological Resilience
They called him The Weeping Governor. After attacks, Shettima visited survivors—holding orphans, kneeling in ashes. Critics weaponized his tears as weakness. But you recognize this: it was emotional intelligence. He humanized suffering while projecting resolve. Even as state revenues collapsed, he paid thousands of workers consistently every month. Audits confirm this. That salary became a symbol of stability in chaos. Shettima later stated: “When bombs fall, salaries must still arrive. Hope is a currency.”
The Legacy: From Survival to National Leadership
Post-2015 Redemption
Post-Jonathan, Shettima rebuilt bridges. He publicly reconciled with the former president, stating he sheathed the sword. More crucially, he audited all IDP aid. When rumors swirled of funds embezzled, he published donation records—revealing minimal external support. This transparency disarmed critics. International bodies later praised Borno’s accountability framework. Shettima transformed from demonized to dependable.
VP Role: Echoes of Past Trials
Watch Shettima today as VP. His budgeting philosophy—transformation over survival—reflects hard-earned wisdom. He pushed for anticipatory disaster management systems, shifting from reactive relief to predictive analytics. Why? Because Jonathan-era neglect taught him that delayed action costs lives. He told economic councils: “If you govern Borno in 2014, you plan for disasters in 2034.”
Lifestyle Lessons in Resilience
Leadership Under Fire
Shettima’s trauma management holds universal lessons. His public vulnerability—visiting attack sites, weeping with survivors—wasn’t weakness; it was authentic authority. You balance strength and empathy in your crises too. Note his ethical anchor: rejecting cash amid desperation. When others cut corners, he chose scrutiny. Ask yourself: Where do I build transparency fortresses when pressured?
Navigating Betrayal
Shettima trusted strategically. He confided in legal and legislative allies—not the administration’s inner circle. Why? Their demonstrated integrity and bipartisan stance. Lesson: Distinguish allies from accomplices. Note his restraint: no public attacks until reconciliation was viable. Sometimes survival means silent endurance.
The Borno Cross Metaphor
Shettima framed Borno’s suffering as a moral crucible: “We carry this cross so Nigeria may learn.” That mindset transforms victims into stewards. His community-centric model—using trusted NGOs for aid distribution—bypassed corrupt bureaucracies. Apply this: Localize solutions. In hardship, lean on trusted networks, not broken systems.
Survival as Transformation
Shettima’s arc—from demonized governor to stabilizing VP—proves endurance fuels reinvention. His tools? Legal savvy, emotional honesty, and unyielding public commitment. As he stated in recent addresses: “Resilience isn’t passive—it must be planned, built, and protected.” You’ve seen his blueprint. Now, in your own trials, remember: survival isn’t the destination. It’s the forge where character is tempered for greater purpose. Carry that truth forward.
