Shekarau disowns aide, denies leaving PDP

A former governor of Kano state, Ibrahim Shekarau, has refuted claim by his spokesman, Sule Ya’u, that he has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressive Congress. In an audio clip repeatedly aired on some radio stations in Kano on Tuesday, Shekarau, a presidential aspirant, said he is still making consultations with his political associates on the next line of action. He said his followers know he has a tradition of consulting political associates before taking any critical decision, and will make his position known to the public, himself, at an appropriate time. He therefore appealed to his followers to remain calm, and wait further direction. “People are aware with the current trend in PDP Kano state. The national leadership has announced dissolution of Kano state executives of PDP. We have challenged this decision in court, because it contradicts the constitution of the PDP. We are still making consultation with PDP leaders in Kano for next line of action. “You are aware (that) in my political history, before I take any decision, I consult my political associates. I am still making such consultation. I am appealing to my supporters to exercise patience. I will make my position known to public myself at an appropriate time,” Shekarau said. When Premium Times correspondent visited the residence of Shekarau, he was told that the politician would meet with his loyalists on Tuesday night, and will make his position known on Wednesday. On Monday, Ya’u told BBC Hausa that his boss had dumped the PDP due to the dissolution of the state executives and formation of a caretaker committee under Rabiu Bichi, former Secretary to Kano State Government and a close political associate of Rabiu Kwankwaso, another presidential candidate and exgovernor of the state. Following the dissolution of the Mas’ud Doguwa-led executive, the members obtained an interim court judgement setting aside its dissolution. Earlier on Tuesday, the public relations officer of the dissolved state executive, Musa Danbirni, told Premium Times that they were still the authentic leaders of PDP in Kano “We are against the decision of national leadership of PDP for dissolving Kano state executives. Let me tell you, yesterday (Monday) the PDP leaders in Kano, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and Ambassador Aminu Wali sent their representatives to pay a solidarity visit to state secretariat in support of our leadership,” Danbirni said Meanwhile, perhaps as a move to placate some of the parties, the PDP has resolved to expand the caretaker committee to accommodate all interests “in line with its adherence to the principles of all-inclusiveness.” The party made this known in a statement on Tuesday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan. “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has resolved to expand the Kano State Caretaker Committee to accommodate all interests in line with its adherence to the principles of all-inclusiveness.” The party in its statement said it is open to opinions and suggestions from party members in ensuring reconciliation and accommodation for all interests within its fold in the state. The NWC assured no stone will be left unturned in the overall quest to bring good governance to Kano State. The party leadership further assured it is prepared to engage with all in Kano provided all matters in court against the party are withdrawn, “as all members work together to build a united PDP that can confront and send out incompetent and insensitive people in governance in Kano State and Nigeria at large.”