By Ahmed Idris
The All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Kano state on Thursday endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari as their candidate for the 2019 general elections.
The party leaders also expressed their commitment and support to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as their sole candidate for 2019.
In his speech, the President was silent on the endorsement even after the party leaders promised to procure the nomination forms for him and threatened to sue if he declines the endorsement.
The President merely beamed with smiles and went on to underscore the need for unity in the party and among the diverse peoples of the country.
The APC stakeholders meeting, held on the margins of the President’s state visit to Kano, was attended by Governor Muhammed Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa, Governor Ganduje, his deputy, Professor Hafizu Abubakar; the state chairman and members of the National and state executive committees of the party from Kano state.
Also in attendance were two of the state’s senators; members of the House of Representatives from the state; the Speaker and 34 of the 40 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and the 44 local governments party chairmen, their deputies and the secretaries of the APC.
The state chairman of APC, Alhaji Inuwa Abbas, said endorsement of the President was based on his achievements in the last two years, especially in the areas of security, the war against corruption and the restructuring of the economy.
“Security is important for everyone, not just for Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. It’s even more so for us as a commercial and industrial state. We are convinced that you are best for these times when the country has begun to muster energy and resources to develop agriculture, infrastructure and empower the younger citizens,” he said.
Speaking on a humorous note, Governor Ganduje said the party was prepared to drag the President to court to force his acceptance of the second term ticket.
In his remarks, the President said he understood the clamour by the ordinary people on the streets who raised four fingers on each arm, ”meaning four-plus-four.”
He, however, stressed the need to sanitize party politics by ridding it of vote buying and violence.
“What I saw in the elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Rivers, the use of money and those headless bodies really upset me. I don’t wish to see that anywhere. I would not have won if money and killing was the modus of operation. That is my view of politics,” he said.
