Kwankwaso

Former Governor of Kano State, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has explained why he boycotted that All Progressives Congress, APC National Convention which began on Saturday and was still going on as at Sunday afternoon.

Kwankwso on Saturday night paid a visit to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja as members of his party were busy at Eagle Square, Abuja with election of new national executive for APC.

Reports indicated that the Kano Senator arrived Atiku’s residence at about 8.30pm and went straight into a closed-door meeting with the former vice president. The details of their meeting were however not made public.

Atiku, decamped from APC to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party last year and he is now seeking the presidential ticket of the party.

Kwankwaso had also indicated interest in the 2019 presidential election and there have been speculations that he may defect for APC to enhance his chances as incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari had already indicated his intention to seek a second term.

Also, the former governor had been involved in fierce battle for the control of the Kano chapter of APC with his predecessor, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

His supporters lost out in the congresses for selection of state, local governments and ward executives which culminated in the National Convention.

In a statement on Sunday, the former Governor said he kept off the APC National Convention because of the problems in Kano chapter of APC.

The statement which the former governor personnaly signed reads “The All Progressive  Congress (APC) group in Kano which I am opportune to lead will like to congratulate and felicitate with the newly elected Chairman H.E Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and his newly elected members of the Executive Council.

“I wish to inform the leadership of the party and the general public that we had wanted to be part of the National Convention but regrettably all the congresses that we conducted at the wards, Local Government Councils and at the State level were not recognized by the outgoing National Executive Council of the party.

“Therefore, I felt that presenting ourselves at such an important event will not be in the overall interest of the entire convention that is assuming we are allowed access into the convention ground.

“Because there are high chances that our presence could create embarrassments and a lot of friction similar or even worse than what occurred in the pavilions of delegations from Imo and Delta States during yesterday’s convention. However, as the new EXCO settles to start the efforts of uniting the party we wish you the very best.”