Sabo Inuwa, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Kano, has characterised as a great development the reported move by the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, to join APC. Kwankwaso is running for the presidency under the New Nigeria People’s Party.
However, Inuwa said that the APC would need to exercise caution in admitting Kwankwaso because, if the situation is not well managed, “potential crises may engulf the APC, particularly in Kano and other states up country, where it is strongest, in the event of missteps, that can be costly and destabilising to a new Asiwaju government.” Kwankwaso is a former member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
On Thursday, Inuwa had a conversation with media in Kano, where he discussed his thoughts.
He made the following statement: “This (reported plan by Kwankwaso to join the APC) is currently in the realm of assumptions; nevertheless, when it comes out to be true, it should be considered as a positive development, given that our Constitution from 1999 allows for freedom of association and choice.
“However, the matter calls for a comprehensive analysis and numerous consultations. Caution is the word to use in this situation, and whatever offer the NNPP has in terms of wanting to join the APC, it should be measured against the actual needs of the APC, particularly in the National Assembly where it has a clear majority in both the Senate and the lower chamber (59 and 168 respectively).
“As a grassroots mobilizer, the focus of my observations is on potential crises that could engulf the APC, particularly in Kano,” you could say.
Kwankwaso, who came in fourth place in the presidential election held on February 25, is not contesting the decision of the All Progressives Congress to name Bola Tinubu as the winner of the vote. This is in contrast to the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, who came in second and third place, respectively, and are currently petitioning the courts to overturn Tinubu’s victory. Kwankwaso came in fourth place.
On May 15, it was reported that Kwankwaso had a meeting with Tinubu in Paris, France for the purpose of discussing various matters.
Regarding electoral criminals, Nuwa asked for what he described as “stiffer prison terms for those who smuggled unstamped ballots to the polling units on election day and those found guilty of inciting violence during the election to serve as a deterrent to others.” Nuwa was referring to individuals who were found guilty of inciting violence during the election.
“Kano is a volatile place, and electoral offenders ought to be set as examples,” the speaker said. He went on to say that “responsible chaps parading themselves as leaders” should not be allowed to “fritter away” 25 years of our democracy because it is a massive investment that should not be allowed to be frittered away.
