One of the key media supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto state, Comrade Faruk A. Shehu, has expressed dismay over the manner in which the party was being run in the state.
He stressed that if care was not taken to unite major stakeholders, President Bola Tinubu might lose the 2027 elections in the state.
Comrade Shehu stated that the party’s leaders in the state had not carried along some of the major stakeholders who contributed massively to the success of President Tinubu and the state governors in the 2023 elections.
Shehu particularly mentioned Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba, Senator Ibrahim Lamido, who represented Sokoto South senatorial district in the 8th and 9th Senate and Senator Ibrahim Lamido representing Sokoto East senatorial district in the current National Assembly, respectively.
He praised Senator Danbaba’s crucial role in ensuring the APC’s victory in the state, utilising his personal resources and experience to secure the party’s success.
“However, despite his massive contributions, Senator Danbaba has been ignored or sidelined without any compensation at the state and federal levels. This is not withstanding his acknowledgment of the way his 2023 senatorial election was sabotaged in favour of his opponent.
Comrade Shehu further stated that Senator Danbaba’s experience made him deserving of a ministerial slot, but was not granted.
“Additionally, none of his supporters were appointed as commissioners, special advisers, or local government chairmen, despite his massive contribution in about 45% of the votes the party received in the 2023 elections”.
Comrade Shehu cautioned the party leaders not to allow Senator Danbaba to leave the APC, as this would lead to the party’s defeat in the 2027 elections due to his massive grassroot support base,especially in the Sokoto South Senatorial District of the state.
He called on the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to take immediate action to address the issue and give Senator Danbaba the recognition he deserved.
According to Comrade Shehu, if urgent steps were not taken to address the crisis, Senator Danbaba’s supporters would stage a peaceful protest to demand a change in how the party is being run in the state.