Former Kano state governor, minister and serving senator representing Kano central has cited non inclusiveness in governance and party affairs as main reasons that lead to his defection from the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, to New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP.
Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, stated this during a press conference held at his residence immediately after becoming card carrying member of NNPP.
According to him, from 2019 to date, Kano state government under the leadership of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has been excluding him and his political allies from governance and party affairs.
“The state governor had adopted and ardently pursued the policy of exclusion of Sardauna, his supporters and political associates from G7 on all matters affecting the party and government.
“We were never consulted or invited to functions or meetings organised by the APC as critical stakeholders, “he said.
Shekarau explained that other contributing factors to his defection was the year 2020 local government election,where governor Ganduje single handedly selected and appointed those whom he wished as executives.
He said similar situations repeated itself during the election of party executives, stressing that all these ” motivated them to hold parallel but legitimate election which led to the emergence of Haruna Zago as chairman.
“It’s common knowledge that election of party officials at Wards, local government and state levels were not conducted in accordance with the stipulated guidelines.
“In that 2021 party executives election, people were handpicked and appointed at will and with impunity by governor Ganduje, “Shekarau said.
Other contributing factors, according to Shekarau were lack of respect for the National secretariat agreed principles, citing the example of a situation where former governors who were serving Senators were given a privilege of automatic tickets.
“It was against the background of all the issues and consistent with our established norms and tradition of consultation with our political supporters through the medium of Shura (consultative forum).
He said they arrived at the decision when 100% of supporters agreed on defection to another party, while 80% proposed NNPP as the new political destination.
Edited by Lateefah Ibrahim and Qazim Akinreti
