Kaduna Governorship: Buhari Did Not Endorse El-Rufai, Says Aspirant

Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, Hon. Shamsuddeen Ango Abdullahi, has described as false the claim that the former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) is backing the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai for the same governorship position.

Abdullahi, who spoke to journalists shortly after submitting his governorship nomination form to the party’s national secretariat in Abuja yesterday, said the bottom line was the choice of the people which would be made manifest through a transparent governorship primary election.

Speaking on his chances against other opponents, especially the former minister of FCT, Malam Nasir el-Rufa’i, Abdullahi said with fairness and the level playing field, he is sure to emerge the governorship candidate of the APC in Kaduna State.

“Buhari did not endorse El-rufai, all he did was only to raise his hand but it is the people that will decide who becomes the next Kaduna governor. Thank God I know we are with the people and we are out to serve the people, that is the bottom line,” he said.

The aspirant, who is presently a member of the Federal House of Representatives, pledged to pursue a programme of accelerated development and transformation in both physical infrastructure and the economic well being of state.

“I believe if given the opportunity at the party primaries, I will be able, with the collective support of the people transform Kaduna State.  Kaduna used to be the melting pot where people from the South and North met ever before Abuja came to be.

“My vision is to have a united and developed Kaduna. I intend to drive development in the area of physical infrastructure and social aspects. He also said the economy of the state would receive his priority attention if elected governor of the state.

“As the National Organising Secretary said, the party would ensure a level playing field for all contestants, I will say let there be fairness. Democracy starts from within the internal organs of the party, it is the internal democracy that promotes true democracy, so we want all the contestants to have a level playing ground, that is what we are asking and let the people decide, “ he said.

While receiving the aspirant at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, the APC National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso assured that everything would be done to guarantee a level playing ground for all aspirants during the primaries.

Source: Thisdaylive.com