MADUABUCHI NMERIBEH/Kano
Confusion and protest trailed Monday night’s gubernatorial primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano, northwest Nigeria, with Malam Sagir Takai emerging the party’s torch-bearer with 1260 votes.
Abba Risqua Murtala Muhammed, the son of slain Head of State polled 140 votes, while Mohammed Abacha and Dr. Akilu Sani Ndabawa boycotted the exercise.
While Akilu Ndabawa who has threatened legal actions said there was no justice in the whole process, Mohammed Abacha was said to have angrily stormed out of the venue, having known that victory was very far from him.
Before the contest, there were efforts by some forces in the presidency to reach a deal between Sagir Takai and Mohammed Abacha. A top PDP leader revealed efforts made to placate some of the aspirants before the election.
“Mohammed Abacha has been under pressure to step down and accept the position of a running-mate to Takai; I cannot, however, explain why he opted out of the race at the last minute. It is possible that even though he is angry, he will be persuaded to accept the result for the interest of the party.”
Sagir Takai was former Commissioner of Local Government Affairs during Shekarau’s reign as Governor of Kano state.
According to Barr. Farouk Iya who resigned as Commissioner of Education when Kwankwaso dumped PDP and is now Director-General of Takai Campaign Organization, the white-bearded Malam who lost to the present Governor, Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso with only 60, 000 votes in the 2011 gubernatorial election remain the only candidate that can floor APC in Kano.
While formally declaring his intention to contest at NUJ Press Centre recently, Takai noted that interest in the race was not a do-or-die affair but an art of God and a sincere intention to rescue Kano from, “the mercy of a very harsh government that is making life unbearable for all.”
“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.”
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.