Maiduguri – Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno on Saturday said he stayed away from the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention in Abuja as a mark of respect for the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

Mallam Isa Gusau the Special Adviser to Shettima on Communication, said this in a statement he issued in Maiduguri.

“Shettima stayed away from the Eagle Square, venue of APC national convention as a mark of respect for victims of series of Boko Haram attacks in Borno that include families of those killed across the state.

“The action is also to honour parents who have remained in despair following the abduction of about 200 school girls at Government Secondary School, Chibok.

“The governor believes that the convention was a legitimate democratic process that must not be stopped in order to defy insurgents.

“Their (insurgents) desire is to suspend and replace liberal and constitutional democracy with violent doctrines that has no religious backing.

The statement said Shettima opted to stay away from the convention in order not offend the sensibilities of victims of the serial attacks in Borno State.

It added that the governor delegated his deputy, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha to represent him at the convention.

The statement said Shettima share in the aspirations and visions of the APC which is to transform Nigeria.

– NAN