By Tahir Sherrif
Barely a week after discussing with Senate President David Mark about his intention towards picking the Presidential ticket, reports have come in that Kano state Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso may instead opt for a Senate position.
NewsWireNGR spoke with a Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC earlier today and ally to the Kano Governor, on condition of anonymity who said that Governor Kwankwaso is set to make his declaration for Senate position in the coming week.
“Kwankwaso is taking the option of going for the senate for personal reasons which will be made public during his declaration in the coming days”. the source stated.
This move is likely to soften developing tensions within the strongest opposition to the ruling party as just recently the sitting Governor made it clear he had no intentions of stepping down for the most popular APC candidates General Muhammadu Buhari and Abubakar Atiku.
Kwankwaso who was also at the National Assembly on Thursday for an interactive session with the senators elected on the platform of the APC and also, to formally inform the caucus of his ambition in 2015, is said to have changed his mind for an option that can be well accepted by his followers.
“The votes at the National Executive Committee, NEC level of the APC is divided between General Buhari and Atiku, Kwankwaso is not in the picture, don’t let anyone deceive you” Another member of the party tells NewsWireNGR.
The change of heart by the Kwankwaso may not be unconnected to the handwritings and forces within the aligning towards the two major contenders, GMB and Atiku.
The two time Kano governor while speaking had made emphasis on the reason behind his earlier ambitions saying:
“Any leader either President, governor or local government chairman who decides to divide his people, to me that leader is a very weak leader. You should convince your people by way of programme and projects, you don’t divide the people on religious lines, north or south, ethnicity and so on.”
If Kwankwaso is to go for Senate, he will be contesting against Bashir Garba Lado, a PDP member who has occupied the position since 2011.
Kwankwaso who was re-elected as governor for a second term in 2011 after previously serving under the same party between 1999-2003 said during the meeting that he was happy to be a member of a new and strong party but has expressed dismay with the recent internal dynamics of regarding the selection of a Presidential candidate.
Kwankwasiya as he is called by his supporters had accused the Federal government for denying him an opportunity to declare his 2015 ambition at the Eagle square Abuja.
According to him, “The Eagle Square, the proposed venue, seems to be impossible. Even the International Conference Centre, as we are now struggling for an alternative venue for the declaration, (may not be possible too.) So, if I fail to secure a venue, I will invite you all to the streets of Abuja; that is where we are now, and we can hold it there.”
The APC is yet to produce a candidate from among influential candidates including former President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, Governor Rochas Okorocha a Sam Nda Isiah. Only one candidate, Senator Bukola Saraki has dropped out on the Presidential race so far.
