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As race for the 2019 election kicks off, Kano state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje appears to have zeroed in on those he wants in the 9th Senate.
DAILY POST gathered that for Kano Central Senatorial district, Ganduje has settled for Senator Basheer Lado.
Lado recently decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with thousands of supporters.
In attendance at the ceremony, which took place at the Sani Abacha stadium in Kano, were APC Deputy National Chairman, Segun Oni, North-West Zonal Vice Chairman, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, Governor Jibrila Bindow of Adamawa, Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger, Sen. Barau Jibrin, some members of House of representatives, National Organising Secretary, Osita Izunaso, Publicity Secretary, Bola Abdullahi, Sen. Eta Enang, National women leader, Rabi Abdullahi, among others.
The former chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who was in the Senate from 2011 to 2015, lost to incumbent Senator and former Kano Governor, Rabi’u Kwankwaso during the 2015 polls.
Analysts say Ganduje opted for Lado because he is the “strongest rival” to Kwankwaso in the district.
Ganduje was Kwankwaso’s deputy for eight years, but the duo fell apart shortly after the last general elections.
DAILY POST further gathered that for Kano South Senatorial district, Ganduje is favourably disposed to the return of incumbent Senator Kabiru Gaya.
Reacting to recent developments regarding election for Senate in 2019, Kwankwaso’s camp said they remain unperturbed.
In a chat with our correspondent on Wednesday, a very close aide of Kwankwaso said they are aware that Ganduje wants Lado to replace the ex-governor.
“We are aware he has declared support for Lado. We know what’s going on but we are not losing sleep”, he stated.
“During that rally held for Lado, Governor Ganduje called out Senator Kabir Gaya, raised his hand and shouted ‘Kano South’
“Afterwards, he called out Senator Barau Jibrin, raised his hand and shouted ‘Kano North’.
“Then for Kano Central, he called Lado to his side and also raised his hand. The meaning of this is simple: ‘I want this person over from the current occupier’, which is reference to Senator Kwankwaso.
“This is what they are doing to the person who came second in APC presidential primary in 2014; the person who worked to secure the highest state votes for President Buhari in 2015.
“This is what they are doing to the person who did his best to help current Kano office holders both at state and federal levels; the person who helped candidates win executive and legislative positions.
“The presidency cannot claim ignorance of all that has been happening. We will continue to monitor events and see how things play out”.
However, Kwanwaso is considering leaving the APC in protest of his travails.
Meanwhile, the Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (House of Reps), Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, has declared interest in Senator Gaya’s seat.
It would be recalled that Sumaila declared intention last weekend.
Kawu, in his remarks, said: “Being a founding member of APC, a former gubernatorial aspirant in Kano and member of the 2015 Presidential Campaign Council of APC is an added advantage.
“It is unfortunate that after we formed the ruling party, APC, on the principle of change and radical revolution, some elements hijacked the process and made it difficult to achieve the set objectives.
“Despite all the difficulties and challenges, we will do our best to uphold the manifesto of our great party, APC. If elected into the Senate, I will join hands with progressive minded Nigerians in order to move this country forward”.
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