Isa Gusau, the Special Adviser to Mr. 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 the victims of a series of Boko Haram attacks in Borno that include families of those killed across the state. The action was 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 have no religious backing," Mr. Gusau said.
He said Mr. Shettima opted to stay away from the convention in order not offend the sensibilities of victims of the serial attacks in Borno State.
He added that the governor delegated his deputy, Zannah Mustapha, to represent him at the convention.
Mr. Gusau also said that Mr. Shettima shared in the aspirations and visions of the APC, which is to transform Nigeria.
Mr. Shettima is one of the 16 state governors that are members of the APC.
(NAN)