[2] His second four-year term ended on 29 May 2015 after which he handed over to Aminu Bello Masari, elected governor on the political party of All Progressives Congress (APC).

In January 2005, he was appointed as a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Special Committee on the Anambra Crisis.

He also served as a Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) from December 2005 to November 2006, when he won the PDP's ticket to contest the 2007 gubernatorial elections in Katsina State.

Shema has been described as a "stingy governor", for his refusal to open the State's vault for Katsina politicians, a characteristic he shares with his predecessor, Umaru Musa Yar'adua.

Controversy over the circumstances leading to his death stirred up tensions between rival PDP factions, one supporting Shema and the other led by the Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Dr. Abba Sayyadi Ruma.