Turaki cannot take over Jigawa PDP - Youth Leader

Youth leader of the Jigawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Alhaji Danjani Umar, yesterday said the purported plan to handover the PDP to ex-Governor Saminu Turaki will not work because what obtained in Jigawa in 2007 is different from the situation now on ground.

He said, “I read a newspaper report that there is a plan to hand over the party structure in the state to Saminu Turaki and I laughed. The people of Jigawa State are loyal to Governor Sule Lamido because of his performance and the people of Jigawa are in the PDP because of Lamido.

“As I am talking to you, the structure of the party from ward level to the state are loyal to the governor. The eleven members of the National Assembly and the three senators are Lamido’s loyalists. The members of the State House Assembly and the 27 local government chairmen are Lamido’s loyalists. This is besides the numerous elders and stakeholders of the party in the state. The political dynamics in Jigawa has changed. If you know Jigawa before 2007 when Lamido took over, you will see the positive transformation in all sectors of the economy. How do you dislodge that kind of performer?’’

Umar said Turaki is a hard sell in Jigawa of today. “Those who are said to be plotting the idea of bringing Saminu back should perish that thought. We are more than ready for them. I am surprised that Turaki can look Jigawa people in the face and ask them for anything in view of his woeful record in office’’

Umar told Daily Trust that he has thrown an open challenge to Turaki for a public debate on his eight year record in office if there is anything worth mentioning.