10 jostle for Kano deputy governor as incumbent withdraws from 2019 race

- The race for the 2019 general elections has begun in earnest in most states

- Deputy governor of Kano state, Professor Hafiz Abubakar, has pulled out of the 2019 governorship race

- Political alignments and realignment have started in the state as politicians jostle to replace Abubakar

A report by The Nation indicates that over 10 people have shown interest in being the number two citizen of Kano, barely 24 hours after the state deputy governor, Hafiz Abubakar, declared that he would not contest alongside Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in 2019.

According to the report, those vying for the job include two vice chancellors; two members of the State Executive Council; a professor of over 15 years; and a retired federal permanent secretary.

In another twist, a principal member of the House of Assembly, who pleaded for anonymity, said he had received calls from top indigenes, advising him to sponsor a motion to impeach Abubakar.

READ ALSO: Kano APC chieftain defects to PDP

“Since the deputy governor declared his intention not to re-contest in 2019, I have received over 50 phone calls, asking me to support his impeachment.

“In fact, when I spoke to some members, they confirmed receiving phone calls.

“Though I may not know his reason for making such a declaration, I view it as unfortunate and a dent to his image. If he feels he is no longer interested to serve the people, the honourable thing to do was to resign and allow others, who are more capable, to continue.

“From what he said and his manner of presentation, he has given the wrong impression that all is not well between him and the governor, which is not true.

“Everybody knows that Governor Ganduje gave him a free hand to operate. For all I know, he has never been sidelined, so only him can explain his reasons for betraying the people’s mandate,” the lawmaker said.

Professor Abubakar was heard in a widely circulated leaked audio tape saying he would rather return to Bayero University, Kano (BUK) where he belonged after the expiration of their tenure on May 29, 2019.

When contacted, the deputy governor’s spokesperson, Alhaji Usman Bello, confirmed the authenticity of the tape.

The deputy governor in the tape said he would rather align himself with his former boss, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, than support Ganduje in the next general elections.

His words: “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.”

The rumbles in the Kano state chapter of the APC is coming barely two weeks after the party threatened to sue President Muhammadu Buhari if he declines their endorsement for the 2019 general elections.

The party issued the threat on Thursday, December 7, shortly after endorsing Buhari as its candidate in the coming presidential election.

READ ALSO: President Buhari inaugurates first made in Nigeria rice mill in Kano

How workaholic Governor Ganduje is transforming Kano state on NAIJ.com TV

Source: Naija.ng