An appeal has been made by a former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress, Salihu Lukman.
He has called on President Bola Tinubu to address the longstanding political discord between two prominent figures: the leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso and the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.
Lukman, in his statement titled ‘Ganduje: Indefensibility of moral and political burden’, issued from Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, urged President Tinubu to extend his gaze beyond the substantial bribery charges levied against Ganduje by the Kano State government, which amount to $413,000 and N1.38 billion.
He emphasized the necessity for the president to delve into the political rift that has caused a schism within the party’s ranks.
The discord between Ganduje and Kwankwaso, both former governors of Kano State, stems from a fallout over political differences. Once allies, their relationship soured, leading to a public and contentious split.
The tension escalated on Monday when Ganduje faced suspension from his political ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area by the Legal Adviser, Halliru Gwanzo, due to the bribery allegations.
The APC’s National Working Committee, alongside its Kano State chapter, quickly dismissed the suspension, declaring that Gwanzo and the implicated party leaders lacked the authority to impeach the national chairman.
They also insinuated that the NNPP-led government in Kano State was orchestrating the suspension.
Lukman has stressed that immediate action is crucial for the APC to maintain its stronghold in Kano and the broader northern region. He suggests that reconciling the differences between Ganduje and Kwankwaso, potentially through an alliance or merger with the NNPP, is imperative.
He reminded the party that Kwankwaso’s NNPP currently enjoys a robust support base in Kano State, a reality that the APC must confront with strategic negotiations.
Lukman’s statement underscores the importance of political agility and the willingness to embrace new alliances in the face of shifting power dynamics. He posits that this situation offers President Tinubu an opportunity to showcase his political acumen and possibly secure the political future of Dr. Ganduje.
The crux of Lukman’s message is a call for honesty and progressive action within the APC. He warns that ignoring the political realities and limiting the party’s focus to the bribery allegations against Ganduje could be detrimental to the APC’s prospects in Kano State and beyond.
Lukman’s appeal is a strategic move aimed at strengthening the party’s position and ensuring electoral success in a politically vital region of Nigeria.
He said, “Being progressives requires honesty, and given the current political reality, we must accept that Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and his NNPP have a stronger support base in Kano State. And that Kwankwaso was in our party up to 2018. Also between 1999 and 2019, both worked together, and we need to revisit issues surrounding their disagreement.
“On no account should APC leaders limit the engagement of issues surrounding all the political challenges facing us as a party to only the issue of bribery allegation against Dr Ganduje.
“If this means another round of negotiation for political alliance or a merger with Kwankwaso and NNPP, our leaders should proceed to act accordingly. President Tinubu and the APC must take full advantage of the current reality to renegotiate the support base of the APC.
“Without a doubt, this situation presents an opportunity for President Tinubu to demonstrate his progressive and political dexterity. It is a low-hanging fruit, which, if properly managed, could also save the politics of Dr. Ganduje.
“The hard truth is that, somehow, the politics of Kano State was mismanaged, and as it is, if we were unable to win the election in Kano State when we were in control of the Kano State Government, it would be foolhardy to imagine otherwise.”
