The Deputy Governor of Kano State, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, has dropped a shocking political revelation, saying he will not conest on same ticket with his principal, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, come 2019.
In a leaked audio clip, Professor Abubakar said he would rather return to Bayero University, Kano (BUK) where he belonged after the expiration of their tenure on May 29, 2019.
He said, “Prof. Hafiz made the statement at Mambayya House while addressing his supporters from Gwale Local Government.
“Prof. was explaining the situation he found himself politically; Yes, it is his voice. However, my boss has no any problem with Ganduje. He is enjoying all respect in terms of governance from the governor.
“Prof. has testified this today at a function held at School of Nursing that there is mutual understanding between him and the governor. The problem he is facing is with the APC at his local government and in fact his ward Mandawari,” the spokesman said.
The deputy governor in the clip said he would rather align himself with his former boss, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, than support Ganduje in the next general elections.
He said, “I was picked by Kwankwaso to be running mate to Ganduje in the last general elections. My wish is to return to BUK by the end of our tenure in 2019 and continue with my career.”
Professor Abubakar was responding to the ongoing party restructuring exercise which led to the removal of the APC chairman in his Mandawari Ward in Gwale Local Government Area of the state without his consent.
He recalled that during the 2015 general elections campaigns, his picture was put side by side with that of the incumbent governor, as well as that of President Muhammadu Buhari and Sen. Kwankwaso.
“But today, my picture was replaced with somebody even at my birthplace,” he said.
“What have I done to my birthplace? What have I done to my birthplace? What have I done to warrant all these?” he queried.
On Ganduje’s second term bid, Hafiz averred that, “Those who want to continue should go on, but my prayer is to go back to BUK. I will not be part of a system whereby the leadership of my party, the APC, would be formed at my Mandawari Ward, my birthplace, and my blood brother was removed without anyone consulting me.”
He recalled that, “I did not bring myself here. I was engrossed in my academic activities when I was picked as the deputy governorship candidate. The God that chose me is not sleeping. Whether I am in the university, God knows the best. I pray to him to choose the best for me,” he said.
But in a reaction, Governor Ganduje expressed shock by the statement made by Prof. Abubakar over the removal of his Mandawari Ward party chairman.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, Ganduje directed for the immediate reinstatement of the removed chairman.
Gov. Ganduje also called on politicians to always contact party leadership and politicians holding higher offices before embarking on issues of sensitive nature.
He equally tasked politicians and other members of the public to accord the same respect to the deputy governor in their dealings with him.
