Shekarau: Why I left APC to join Kwankwaso in NNPP
by Ayodele Oluwafemi
Ibrahim Shekerau, a former governor of Kano, has explained why he left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Shekerau, senator representing Kano central, spoke on Wednesday in an interview with Channels Television.
TheCable had reported that the former Kano governor joined NNPP after months of leadership tussle with Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano.
The development means that Shekerau has pitched his political tent with Rabiu Kwankwaso, another former governor of Kano, in the NNPP.
Explaining reasons behind his defection, Shekerau said APC’s inability to settle the crisis between his faction and Ganduje’s faction led to his exit from the party.
“That is very true. As a result of very many developments over the last couple of weeks or even months, after due consultations with the various constituencies that I represent, I left the party,” he said.
“Unfortunately, instead of the party leadership then, Mai Mala Buni, to convene a meeting to resolve the issue as a family matter within a few hours of the appeal court judgment, they rushed and granted certificate of recognition to the other faction.
“We ran to the supreme court, the judgment of the supreme court upheld the judgment of the appeal court that the matter is a party issue and that the party should bring the two sides together.
“We had several meetings with Mai Mala Buni leadership and both sides proposed the way forward. Unfortunately that was not implemented and it even worsened the situation.
“What was mostly reported on social media was not correct. The supreme court did not say they recognise the leadership and faction of Abdullahi Abass. That was not the judgment. The judgment was that the party should go and resolve the crisis.
“By the time the new leadership came, they were overwhelmed by the various arrangements of primary elections. There were attempts.
“I personally did quite a lot in getting the party to bring the two sides together and sit to resolve the issue. Unfortunately, the governor was always running around. It looks like he really did not want us to sit together to resolve the matter.”
Shekarau has joined our party, says NNPP
by Dyepkazah Shibayan
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) says Ibrahim Shekarau, a former governor of Kano and serving senator, has joined its ranks.
The development comes days after Abdulmumin Jibrin, a former member of house of representatives and a director-general of the Bola Tinubu campaign group, joined the party.
Jibrin’s defection came despite efforts by Abdullahi Ganduje, Kano governor, to prevent the former from leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a tweet on Tuesday, the NNPP said the former Kano governor has joined the party “finally”, adding that Kwankwaso also paid a “congratulatory visit” to Shekarau on the development.
“Finally: Sen Ibrahim Shekarau Join Us,” it tweeted.
Finally: Sen Ibrahim Shekarau Join Us👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/UZJsMWkywo
— Official NNPP (@0fficialNNPP) May 17, 2022
The relationship between Ganduje and Shekarau has been frosty since the APC held its congresses in the state.
Factions of Ganduje and Shekarau produced different leaders — the Shekerau faction produced Haruna Danzago as chairman, while Abdullahi Abbas is leader of the Ganduje faction.
However, a trial court in the federal capital territory (FCT) had recognised Shekarau’s faction in November 2021 – but the appeal and supreme courts have since set aside the verdict.
Meanwhile, Shekarau is scheduled to meet with his advisory council and members of his constituency on Wednesday over the development.
The former Kano governor is, however, yet to officially announce his defection to the NNPP.