Nigeria, April 29 -- It appears that all may not be well between Vice President Kashim Shettima and his political protege, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum. While the full details are not public, there are signs of a quiet disagreement over who should succeed the governor in Borno State.

This situation brings up a common issue in Nigerian politics, the relationship between a political mentor and the person he helped to power. There is no doubt that Shettima played a major role in Zulum's rise. At a time when many people did not expect it, he trusted Zulum and supported him to become governor.

To his credit, Shettima did not interfere in the running of the state. He gave Governor Zulum the freedom to lead, and Zulum has done well in many a...