- The race for the 2019 general elections have begun in earnest in most states
- Political permutations, alignment and realignment are the order of the day
- Political analysts are keen on the dicey situation in Kano state being the political capital of northern Nigeria
A report by Daily Trust indicates that the deputy governor of Kano, Professor Hafiz Abubakar, will pull out of the 2019 governorship contest in the state with Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
According to the report, Professor Abubakar was heard in a widely circulated leaked audio tape saying he would rather return to Bayero University, Kano (BUK) where he belonged after the expiration of their tenure on May 29, 2019.
Professor Abubakar comes out of his political shell. Photo credit: Professor Abubakar's Facebook page
READ ALSO: Kano APC chieftain defects to PDP
When contacted, the deputy governor’s spokesperson, Alhaji Usman Bello confirmed that the authenticity of the tape.
He said: “Professor Hafiz made the statement at Mambayya House while addressing his supporters from Gwale local government.
“Professor was explaining the situation he found himself politically; Yes, it is his voice. However, my boss has no any problem with Ganduje. He is enjoying all respect in terms of governance from the governor.
“Professor has testified this today at a function held at School of Nursing that there is mutual understanding between him and the governor. The problem he is facing is with the APC at his local government and in fact his ward Mandawari.”
The deputy governor in the tape said he would rather align himself with his former boss, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, than support Ganduje in the next general elections.
His words: “I was picked by Kwankwaso to be running mate to Ganduje in the last general elections. My wish is to return to BUK by the end of our tenure in 2019 and continue with my career.”
Professor Abubakar was responding to the ongoing party restructuring exercise which led to the removal of the APC chairman in his Mandawari Ward in Gwale local government rea of the state without his consent.
He recalled that during the 2015 general elections campaigns, his picture was put side by side with that of the incumbent governor, as well as that of President Muhammadu Buhari and Senator Kwankwaso.
“But today, my picture was replaced with somebody even at my birthplace,” he said.
“What have I done to my birthplace? What have I done to my birthplace? What have I done to warrant all these?” he queried.
He continued: “Those who want to continue should go on, but my prayer is to go back to BUK. I will not be part of a system whereby the leadership of my party, the APC, would be formed at my Mandawari Ward, my birthplace, and my blood brother was removed without anyone consulting me.”
“I did not bring myself here. I was engrossed in my academic activities when I was picked as the deputy governorship candidate. The God that chose me is not sleeping. Whether I am in the university, God knows the best. I pray to him to choose the best for me.”
But in a swift reaction, Governor Ganduje expressed shock by the statement made by his deputy and ordered the immediate reinstatement of the removed chairman.
A statement signed by the commissioner for information, Malam Muhammad Garba, quoted the governor as advising politicians to always contact party leadership and politicians holding higher offices before embarking on issues of sensitive nature.
He equally tasked politicians and other members of the public to accord the same respect to the deputy governor in their dealings with him.
The rumbles in the Kano state chapter of the APC is coming barely two weeks after the party threatened to sue President Muhammadu Buhari if he declines their endorsement for the 2019 general elections.
The party issued the threat on Thursday, December 7, shortly after endorsing Buhari as its candidate in the coming presidential election.
READ ALSO: President Buhari inaugurates first made in Nigeria rice mill in Kano
How workaholic Governor Ganduje is transforming Kano state on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng
ROSY CREST
Wednesday, 20 December 2017