- Our choice was collective – Kano governor
- We’re consulting on next line of action – Kawu Sumaila
A major crack has occurred between the supporters of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen Muhammadu Buhari, and Kano State governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, in Kano, over the choice of the running mate for the state APC governorship candidate.
Disagreement started between the two camps on Thursday, following the announcement of Professor Hafiz Abubakar as the deputy gubernatorial candidate of the party for 2015 polls. Hafiz was picked as the running mate to Kwankwaso’s deputy, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who won APC’s ticket in the state.
The supporters of Buhari in Kano, kicked against the choice, saying the process was skewed against their camp.
Leader of the group, Alhaji Danbilki Commander, vowed that they would not accept Hafiz as the deputy gubernatorial candidate. “APC is our party. We dissolved our parties to form APC, therefore nobody can say he would have everything for himself. We are, however, calling on our supporters to remain in APC, while we pursue our rights,” he said.
According to him, Buhari had personally requested the slot to be given to Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, the House of Representatives member representing Takai/Sumaila Federal Constituency, but that the Kwankwasiyya faction, led by Governor Kwankwaso, reneged on it.
He warned that the action could spell disaster for the party in state next year.
“Those who think they can get away with this choice should be ready for disappoinment and grievous consequences. Anyone who feels he can underrate us is making a great mistake,” he said.
Also speaking, Sumaila said he was in Daura, Katsina State for “consultation”, calling on his supporters to wait for its outcome. “You know, it is not good for one to take a decision in anger. We are consulting with the relevant stakeholders, and very soon we will make the outcome of our consultation known,” Sumaila said.
Reacting, Governor Kwankwaso said the choice of Professor Abubakar was a collective decision of all stakeholders of the APC in the state, saying that intimidation is not the best option of resolving differences in politics.
“They have been talking of legacy parties. We have gone beyond that now. We regard all members of the APC as one. Or is there any member of the legacy party that was in the state House of Assembly or any level that we denied opportunity to re-contest his position? We supported all of them, even where we (Kwankwasiyya) have better candidates. Therefore, we have tried to be fair to all, because we are all APC members.
“I would like to say that the choice of Professor Hafiz Abubakar was done in good fate. It was also meant to support people who would continue with the good work we have started. We have set Kano on the track that many generations would benefit from these initiatives.
“Politics is all about dialogue, and if you didn’t get something today, one should not forget that tomorrow is there. We also have many opportunities to carry everyone along, provided people are patient,” Kwankwaso said.
The choice of Professor Abubakar has taken many observers by surprise, as he was not among those that contested the gubernatorial primary. It is on this ground that observers thought that the deputy candidate was left for either Sumaila, who voluntary stepped down from the primary election, or Abba Yusuf, a commissioner in Kwankwaso’s cabinet.
Source: dailytrust.com.ng
