Shekarau's Deputy Quits ANPP For ACN

Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo.

Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo.

Engr. Abdullahi Mohammed Tijani Gwarzo, the Deputy Governor of Kano state has resigned from the All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP and joined the Action Congress. But he is not resigning from the government.

Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo.

Gwarzo was among the many governorship aspirants of ANPP in Kano state.

His boss, Governor Ibrahim Shekarau (Sardaunan Kano), in several occasions, made it clear that he was not against his aspiration. But Shekarau’s open endorsement of Alhaji Sagir Takai, a former Commissioner of Local Government in the state has been a source of concern, not only to Gwarzo, but to other governorship aspirants in the state under the platform of ANPP.

P.M.NEWS authoritatively learnt from reliably sources that Gwarzo’s exit was informed by Shekarau’s adamant refusal to pass the ball over to him as he concludes his eight-year term on the seat of power in Kano state.

Tijani Gwarzo’s Campaign Organization Director General, Alhaji Farouk Hassan, who confirmed his exit from ANPP told journalists that the Deputy Governor withdrew his membership after due consultations with his political associates.

According Hassan, Tijani Gwarzo cited lack of internal democracy, moral injustice, and declining focus on the part of the party leadership as reasons for his action, noting that the party leadership, “has failed to promote an enabling environment for a free and fair governorship primaries.

“The Deputy Governor and the Campaign Organization were by no means disturbed over the support His Excellency (Governor Ibrahim Shekarau) has been extending to a specific gubernatorial aspirant. An individual or any other aspirant has the right to join any political party of his choice in pursuit of his political ambition.

“It is, however, worrisome that the issue of the principle of equity, justice and fair play that has been continually preached has not gone beyond rhetoric. Following this development, he (the Deputy Governor) announced his withdrawal from ANPP. The decision, followed deliberations and considerations of all possible options by members of the campaign Organization, who considered a number of factors, including where they can make contributions to the development of their communities.”

Hassan further accused the Kano state leadership of ANPP of violating the Electoral Act 2010, “as well as the party’s constitution in respect of the conduct of the primaries, as it failed to comply with all the procedures for primary elections, where delegates were not elected by the people, but were single-handedly picked by the party officials to favour a particular governorship aspirant, believed to be the governor’s anointed.”

It was also learnt that another governorship aspirant on the party’s platform, Alhaji Sani Lawal Kofar Matar who was recently relieved of his position as the Director-General of Kano State Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, has also dumped ANPP, “but he is yet to decide on which party to join,” his close associate who declined to indicate his identity told the Magazine.

In an interview with TheNEWS  last year, Tijani Gwarzo had said of his 2011 ambition, thus: “Well, I leave that to God and my party to decide. 2011 is still ahead. Our major concern now is to deliver dividends of democracy to the Kano people. I am a party man and I am into politics for good. At the right time, we shall make consultations and know the next step to take. But I must tell you that I have the urge to serve my people. You know that power belongs to Allah and he alone decides who takes it.”

However, when contacted, as at the time of filing this report, the party’s leadership through its state secretary, Comrade Rabiu Bako said, “we are yet to receive his (Tijani Gwarzo) resignation letter. I will call you when we receive the letter,”.

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

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