Plans are almost concluded between a former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to dump the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Shekarau is set to defect to the PDP after an alleged mouth-watering ‘bounty’ offered him by the the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Daily Nigerian reports.
READ ALSO: Shekarau finally joins NNPP
Earlier on June 29, Shekarau, who represented Kano Central Senatorial zone had defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the NNPP after his letter of defection was read at plenary by the Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
Shekarau Spokesman reacts
However, Shekarau’s spokes person, Dr Sule Yau Sule has reacted to the reports.
In a short message shared on WhatsaApp, Dr Sule appealed to the public to ignore the said move.
“Please disregard any news concerning political movement of His Excellency Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, a clear and detailed position of His Excellency will made public within the week.” Dr. Sule Ya’u Sule said.
Shekarau’s Shura Council reacts to move
The highest decision making body of Senator Ibrahim Shekarau’s political structure, the Shura Consultative Assembly has rejected overtures from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the two time Kano State governor to defect to the party.
At a meeting held on Sunday, August 14, 2022 at Shekarau’s Mundubawa residence, in Kano, that lasted over five hours to consider the issue among other things trashed out, the idea of leaving the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) despite the party Presidential flag-bearer, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso allegedly not fulfilling agreement he had with Malam Ibrahim Shekarau before defecting to the party recently, Solacebase reports.
“You know Malam Shekarau hardly take any political decision without consulting the Shura Council.”
Background
Shekarau attempted dumping NNPP earlier
On June 24, Shekarau had also sneaked to Lagos to meet with the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi, seeking to become his running mate despite the automatic ticket offered him by the NNPP as the Kano North Central Senatorial candidate.
However the talks were said to have collapsed when both the APC and the PDP were said to have competed in wooing him to their camps.
Shekarau refuses to meet NNPP Leadership
Trying to confirm the allegations on Shekarau’s defection, the NNPP leadership, represented by a 3-man delegation made up of its governorship candidate Abba Kabir-Yusuf, a senatorial candidate, Kawu Sumaila and a House of Representatives candidate Kabiru Rurum sorted audience with Shekarau Friday night in Abuja but he refused to meet them.
On the other hand, the PDP leadership had confirmed to credible sources that it had reached a deal with him and will soon announce his defection to PDP.
According to an insider, the former governor on Sunday summoned an emergency meeting of his political advisory council, dubbed the Shura Consultative Assembly, and informed the members about the latest development.
It is also gathered that on Tuesday, a 21-member committee will meet at 4pm to finalise arrangements and ways to manage the any uproar that will follow in the political scenery.
Shekarau is due to receive the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar at his residence in Kano where he will formally announce his defection.
“The truth is that Atiku has made some mouth-watering offers such as ministerial and parastatal slots to Mallam. This is in addition to appointing him as the North West campaign coordinator and in charge of campaign finances in the region,” said an insider.
Why Shekarau wants to dump NNPP
A source from the Shekarau’s camp said the senator decided to defect from the NNPP because the party failed to accommodate some of his associates.
“The NNPP only offered the senatorial ticket to Shekarau without giving any ticket to hid associates.
“So there is deep resentment in among Shekarau’s associates who felt that Mallam only negotiated his senatorial slot alone and did not make efforts for them,” the source stated.
