MADUABUCHI NMERIBEH/Kano

Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje: APC governorship candidate

Deputy Governor of Kano state, northwest Nigeria, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje emerged gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kano with a promise to bring thousands of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, supporters into his fold.

Ganduje was a foundation member of the PDP but left the party with his boss, Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso in protest late last year.

Anointed by Kwankwaso, Ganduje won APC gubernatorial primaries with 5, 588 votes defeating Brigadier-General Jafaru Isah who polled only 126 votes.

“I am going to take a big chunk of PDP supporters. I believe I have so many friends and well wishers in PDP and other parties in the state. I am going beyond APC. I am targeting the highest votes in the history of gubernatorial election in Kano,” Ganduje boasted.

P.M.NEWS reports that two other aspirants, Hon. Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila and Alhaji Usman Alhaji, at the last minute stepped down for Ganduje.

The duo declared at the election ground that they would rather support Ganduje to lead Kano to greater heights.

Ganduje commended Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso for reposing confidence in him and promised to consolidate on the legacies and achievements of Kwankwaso if he wins the secondary election come February next year.

“The journey started for a long time; the road was rough but now it is fruitful. I remain grateful to His Excellency, Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso because he deemed it right to make me his Deputy in 1999 despite the fact that I contested the primary election against him.

“Again in 2011, he chose me as his Deputy. He gave me responsibilities and I didn’t abuse it. He trusted me, we worked harmoniously and there was no clash. Engr. Kwankwaso is a great planner; he has foresight and he is committed to the development of Kano state.

“If finally elected by the Kano people, I am going to consolidate on what is already put in place by this administration. I will block leakages and concentrate more on Internally Generated Revenue. There are questions we will ask: What is wrong with Kano? How can we make Kano a mega-city and we will come out with a strategy and policy thrust based on education, transportation, health-care delivery, and unemployment and poverty eradication,” he stated.