Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has invited the Ibrahim Shekarau-led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano to join in seeking unity for the success of the party.
Mr Ganduje made the call as the rival faction announced it would take its case to the Supreme Court after the Court of Appeal on Thursday restored the control of the APC in the state to the governor.
After Thursday’s judgment by the appellate court, Mr Ganduje had threatened to crush the rival faction. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Shekaru faction accused the governor of incitement against its members in the remarks.
But in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar, on Saturday, the governor adopted a conciliatory tone.
We are assuring you that our intention of a united and strong party is still on. Our great party APC is still one in Kano. All controversies are over,” the governor was quoted in the statement.
‘Just as you are aware that during our wards, local governments and state congresses, INEC, Police, DSS and national headquarters of the party were present and endorsed the validity of all exercises’.
Based on this, therefore, he disclosed that the party would sit with all party leaders across all the 44 local governments and discuss their strategies, to strengthen all party structures.
“He also invited those who took their case to court before to come forth with the sole intention of building a stronger party, adding that, ‘We are ready for the national convention coming up very soon.”
Mr Anwar said “thousands of party supporters had received the governor, state party Chairman Abdullahi Abbas and many top government functionaries, as they came back from Abuja, through Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), in a four-hour motorcade procession to the state secretariat of All Progressives Congress (APC), he reiterated his intention of solidifying party structures.
Present at the state party Secretariat were Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, 20 members of House of Representatives, members of the State House of Assembly, all Commissioners and other members of the state Executive Council, all chairmen of the 44 local governments, all party leaders from the 44 local governments,” he said in the statement.
Shekarau faction head for Supreme Court
But Mr Shekarau has said his group (G7) would appeal the judgment of the Court of Appeal and appealed to its supporters to remain calm.
The group spoke through a statement co-signed by Mr Shekarau, Barau Jibrin, who is the senator for Kano North, and four members of the House of Representatives, including; Nasiru Abdua, Tijjani Jobe, Sha’aban Sharada and Haruna Dederi; and the chairperson of Buhari Support Group, Shehu Dalhatu.
The statement read: “Indeed, we have very high regard and respect for our courts and judicial system. And every judge has the constitutional powers to make a decision, one way or the other, in respect of any matter which comes before him.
‘’What is heartwarming, however, is that the appellate system of our courts allows a party, who is dissatisfied with the decision given by one Court, to Appeal to a higher court.’
‘’It is in this regard that we, in very strong terms, urge all our supporters throughout Kano State and beyond to remain calm and focused because our lawyers have immediately commenced the processes of appeal to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, being dissatisfied with the judgement of the Court of Appeal.’
and J. Amadi.
