Shekarau returns to APC
The Kano State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has said that more top members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are expected to join the APC soon.
State Chairman of the party, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, said yesterday that the return of former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau to the APC was a testimony that the ruling party remained the most peaceful platform where politicians irrespective of their status and background could actualize their political aspirations without impunity, injustice and imposition.
He said, “We are also praying for the remaining PDP big wigs to borrow a leaf from Shekarau and return to APC. They will be welcomed and treated fairly…The defection of Shekarau is clear testimony that APC is heading to victory in 2019.”
A source close to the former education minister, confided in Daily Trust that some of his (Shekarau’s) political associates spent time persuading him to return to APC before he finally succumbed to their pleas.
“We convinced him that we cannot continue in PDP because the leadership of the party is not ready to allow us practice politics the way it should be.
“Up till Monday, the arrangement was that Shekarau will buy PDP presidential form, but in the night, some of his political associate who have been persuading him to leave continued with their effort trying to convince him and fortunately for us, he finally accepted that we should move to the APC.
“Shortly after he accepted our request, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje discussed the issue with him (Ganduje) and they sealed a deal. This is how we decamped to APC,” he said.
Confirming the development to Daily Trust yesterday, Shekarau’s media aide, Sule Ya’u Sule, said the former governor’s decision to dump PDP was concluded after when he was convinced by his supporters.
“My boss has met with Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in Abuja and concluded plans for our return to APC. He (Shekarau) will meet with all the stakeholders concerned in Kano and then make his defection public,” he said.
Daily Trust recalled that what transpired yesterday was just history repeating itself. In 2013, Shekarau left the APC for the PDP at the time when the then leading opposition party handed over the APC structure to new entrants, including Kwankwaso and other governors at the time when they dumped the PDP.
And following his recent return to PDP, the national leadership of the party had given Kwankwaso 51 per cent holding in Kano and sacked the state executive in line with a purported condition given by the former governor for him to return.
The development had irked Shekarau and the likes of Ambassador Aminu Wali, Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo and others.