2019: Plot against Sen Sani thickens as party leaders endorse his likely opponent

The chairpersons of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the six local government areas that make up Kaduna Central senatorial district, currently represented by Shehu Sani in the Nigerian Senate, have endorsed a rival candidate ahead of the 2019 elections.

Rising from a meeting in Kaduna on Saturday, the APC chairmen endorsed a political adviser to Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Uba Sani, for the ticket.

The six local governments are: Chikun, Birnin Gwari, Kajuru, Kaduna North, Kaduna South and Giwa.

Reading a communique after the meeting, the APC chairman of Kaduna North Local Government Area, Musa Sheriff, said that their decision was based on the positive contributions by Uba Sani to the affected local governments including securing jobs for the youth.

“The governor’s adviser has secured thousands of job opportunities for youth in the state through newly-created agencies like KASTLEA, KADIPA, etc. He has also secured employment for our teaming youth as forest rangers, sanitation workers and so many empowerment programmes.

“He has also secured jobs for hundreds of our teeming youth under the National Directorate of Employment (NDE). He was also instrumental to disbursement of support funds through various Anchor Borrowers Scheme under the Agricultural Intervention Programme”.

Responding to media enquiries afterwards, Sheriff said, “Indeed we all agree to endorse Uba and that is because we deem him best for the seat come 2019.”

Read also: 2019: Buhari in better state of health than in 2015- Adesina

When asked why another candidate was endorsed when Sani was likely going to seek reelection, Sherrif said, “I want you to know that the current senator is still not pardoned by the party and technically he is not recognised as a member of the party in Kaduna.

“It is a unanimous decision. We all agree that Uba should contest for the senate seat in 2019”.

Reacting to the development, Sani described it as “antics” by El-Rufai.

Sani said the governor resorted to organising ‘”fake” endorsement meeting after repeatedly failing to suspend him from the party.

He added that the people of his constituency were “solidly” behind him irrespective of the governor’s move.

“The so called rejection of Senator Shehu Sani by so called six chairmen of APC is nothing but Governor Nasiru El-Rufai’s antics,” a statement by the Special Adviser to Sani noted on Sunday.

“After two and half years of failed attempt to suspend senator Sani or recall him, El-Rufai has stooped to organising fake party chairman and endorsing his political adviser called Uba Sani.”

Sani added that the governor depends on President Buhari for his political survival.

“It will interest the general public to know that El-Rufai is simply diverting the attention and shielding his political adviser who will be in court in February for organising thugs to invade the NUJ secretariat.

“He has endorsed himself for governorship and now arranging an endorsement for his puppy and low grade errand boy.

“He has clung unto President Buhari for his political oxygen and life.”

The senator accused El-Rufai of frequenting the Aso Villa while his state was being attacked by kidnappers and herdsmen.

“While Franco Nero plays fiddle while Rome was on Fire, El-Rufai is always in the Villa playing the Game of Throne while his state is overrun by kidnappers and herdsmen.”

The senator invited “anyone” outside Kaduna to independently sample the opinion of residents of the state ahead of the 2019 polls.

 

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