Details of the outcome of Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led National Reconciliation Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano state have finally emerged, showing how Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, the factional leader, disappointed the committee by adamantly making its task difficult.
The meeting revolved around three major issues that included accessibility to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje by the factional leaders; inclusiveness that involves engaging relevant stakeholders through effective representation in both party and government appointments; and the two pending cases before the courts of law, which was not discussed for fear of contempt.
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While Shekarau claimed that he had been sidelined in the running of the affairs of the party in the state, Ganduje rejected the claim, expressing willingness however, to continue to work with the Senator to develop the party and other stakeholders to further unite the party.
As a proof of his denial, Governor Ganduje however, presented the committee with a list of 526 appointees, both political and governmental allocated to Shekarau camp that included the commissioners of finance and economic development; rural and community development; managing directors of Radio Kano and the state Water Resources and Engineering Construction Agency (WRECA); four Special Advisers; a number of Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants, appointed and elected coucillors.
Even at that, Governor Ganduje promised to absorb more members into the government and the party structure through the allocation of more offices for the Shekarau’s camp.
Sources closed to the committee that comprised of former governors, deputy governors and other respected and highly placed party members under the leadership of the one-time governor of Nassarawa state, disclosed that even at the end of the marathon meeting, Shekarau proved he is a tough nut.
Chairman of the committee, an elder statesman, a two-term governor and Shekarau’s senior at the Senate, pleaded together with other respected members with Shekarau, to come along with them to address the press, while Governor Ganduje make a vote of thanks, but to their surprise, he vehemently declined the request. Not only that, Shekarau disparaged the committee members by refusing to have a group photograph with them despite repeated pleas by the chairman and other party members.
This singular uncompromising and uncooperative act by Shekarau highly disappointed the committee members.
Until the 2019 general elections when Ganduje influenced his candidature for the Senate seat, Shekarau imposed a near lonely incarceration on himself. However, the realization of his political blight has suddenly woken him up from slumber, but on the wrong side.
After he fatally lost a presidential ambition in 2011 on the eve of his departure from Government House Kano, simultaneously with his anointed successor and governorship candidate on the banner of ANPP, Salihu Sagir Takai, he has repeatedly and futilely tried to plant Takai as governor of the state, but each trial is resisted by Kano people. His failed electoral escapades since 2011 are symbolic expressions of his rejection by Nigerians and Kano people.
In a vote of thanks, Governor Ganduje expressed happiness with the composition of the committee, harped on the need for inclusiveness and pledged to give level playing ground to all stakeholders in running the affairs of the party in the state.
