As race for the 2019 election
kicks off, Kano state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje appears to have zeroed
in on those he wants in the 9th Senate.
Lado recently decamped to the All
Progressives Congress (APC) with thousands of supporters.
In attendance at the ceremony,
which took place at the Sani Abacha stadium in Kano, were APC Deputy National
Chairman, Segun Oni, North-West Zonal Vice Chairman, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir,
Governor Jibrila Bindow of Adamawa, Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger, Sen.
Barau Jibrin, some members of House of representatives, National Organising
Secretary, Osita Izunaso, Publicity Secretary, Bola Abdullahi, Sen. Eta Enang,
National women leader, Rabi Abdullahi, among others.
The former chieftain of the
People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who was in the Senate from 2011 to 2015, lost
to incumbent Senator and former Kano Governor, Rabi’u Kwankwaso during the 2015
polls.
Analysts say Ganduje opted for
Lado because he is the “strongest rival” to Kwankwaso in the district.
Ganduje was Kwankwaso’s deputy
for eight years, but the duo fell apart shortly after the last general
elections.
It was further gathered that
for Kano South Senatorial district, Ganduje is favourably disposed to the
return of incumbent Senator Kabiru Gaya.
Reacting to recent developments
regarding election for Senate in 2019, Kwankwaso’s camp said they remain
unperturbed.
In a chat with our correspondent
on Wednesday, a very close aide of Kwankwaso said they are aware that Ganduje
wants Lado to replace the ex-governor.
“We are aware he has declared
support for Lado. We know what’s going on but we are not losing sleep”, he
stated.
“During that rally held for Lado,
Governor Ganduje called out Senator Kabir Gaya, raised his hand and shouted
‘Kano South’
“Afterwards, he called out
Senator Barau Jibrin, raised his hand and shouted ‘Kano North’.
“Then for Kano Central, he called
Lado to his side and also raised his hand. The meaning of this is simple: ‘I
want this person over from the current occupier’, which is reference to Senator
Kwankwaso.
“This is what they are doing to
the person who came second in APC presidential primary in 2014; the person who
worked to secure the highest state votes for President Buhari in 2015.
“This is what they are doing to
the person who did his best to help current Kano office holders both at state
and federal levels; the person who helped candidates win executive and legislative
positions.
“The presidency cannot claim
ignorance of all that has been happening. We will continue to monitor events
and see how things play out”.
However, Kwanwaso is considering
leaving the APC in protest of his travails.
Meanwhile, the Special Assistant
to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (House of Reps),
Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, has declared interest in Senator Gaya’s
seat.
It would be recalled that Sumaila
declared intention last weekend.
Kawu, in his remarks, said:
“Being a founding member of APC, a former gubernatorial aspirant in Kano and
member of the 2015 Presidential Campaign Council of APC is an added advantage.
“It is unfortunate that after we
formed the ruling party, APC, on the principle of change and radical
revolution, some elements hijacked the process and made it difficult to achieve
the set objectives.
“Despite all the difficulties and
challenges, we will do our best to uphold the manifesto of our great party,
APC. If elected into the Senate, I will join hands with progressive minded
Nigerians in order to move this country forward”.
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com