MADUABUCHI NMERIBEH/Kano

Malam Salihu Sagir Takai, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial aspirant in Kano and political god-son to Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau on Saturday formally declared his intention to govern Kano in 2015, saying his aspiration was not based on do-or-die affair, but a sincere intention to rescue Kano from, “the mercy of a very harsh government that is making life unbearable for all.”

Takai’s first attempt to make it to Kano Government House was stopped by the incumbent Governor, Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso who defeated him at the 2011 polls.

Salihu Sagir Takai: PDP governorship aspirant in Kano

Kwankwaso had contested under PDP, while Takai was a candidate of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP.

Takai who expressed hope that a consensus arrangement within the PDP family may favour him regretted that, “it is a pity that the state Government has distanced itself from the population, (and) has been involved in destructive activities rather than constructive ones, and does not seem to have any concrete plans to develop the state. It is needlessly engaged in unnecessary waste of public funds.”

All PDP aspirants from Kano headed to Kaduna Saturday afternoon for screening and further discussions on how to arrive at a consensus that will favour all groups within the party.

According to sources, a strong force from Abuja, being propelled by Malam Shekarau is muting the idea of Takai/Mohammed Abacha candidature.

“There have been a series of meetings going on and I must tell you that the PDP do not want to take any chances. We don’t want a situation where personal interest will jeopardize the interest of the party. Mohammed Abacha has been under pressure to step down and accept the position of a running-mate to Takai; but that idea is yet to see the light of the day.

“As I am speaking to you, consultations are on-going and all the aspirants are being carried along. If at the end of the day, no consensus was reached, all the aspirants will go for primaries and whoever that emerges will be supported by all,” a top PDP chieftain told P.M.NEWS.

Takai who said his government, if voted in, will concentrate more on development in agriculture, education, security, health, commerce and industry, human development as well as infrastructural development, however, promised to support whoever emerges PDP gubernatorial candidate if at the close of the day, he was not able to make it.

“Our party has initiated the process of reconciliation amongst the contestants aimed at coming out with a single consensus candidate. If this succeeds, as we all hope it will, there would be no need to go into primaries; otherwise, there may be the need for the party’s delegates to ultimately decide who would be its flag bearer.

“In either case, I wish to state that we have placed our full trust in Allah, the Almighty. If we emerge as the winners in this contest, we will work with all other contestants to campaign all over the state for the secondary elections. If, on the other hand, another contestant emerges victorious, we pledge to fully assist him with our entire political structure for the forthcoming elections,” Takai concluded