What could be considered as a unanimous decision was arrived at during a stakeholders forum meeting in Birnin Kebbi, for the formal reception of the three Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators
By Haruna Usman, Birnin Kebbi
Barely one week to the second year anniversary of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Nasir Idris administrations, the major stakeholders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kebbi State have endorsed the candidature of the two leaders for 2027 general elections.
The endorsement, according to Abdullahi Idris Zuru appeared to be the final, may rule out the possibility of any member of the party in the state to aspire for the positions in 2027.
What could be considered as a unanimous decision was arrived at during a stakeholders forum meeting in Birnin Kebbi, for the formal reception of the three Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators who recently defected from their party to the APC and inauguration of a political movement named “TINUBU and KAURA 2 Terms” .
The Senators that decamped are Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero, representing Kebbi central, Dr Yahaya Abdullahi, representing Kebbi North and Senator Garba Musa Maidoki representing Kebbi south at the Senate chamber.
At the occasion were the three former Governors and their Deputies, elders of the party from all levels, the national and state executive committees members, National and State Assemblies members, former members of the National and State Assemblies, members of the federal and state Boards and commissions members of the business community including religious leaders from all faiths.
The formation and subsequent inauguration of the high-powered mobilisation council was the decision of the expanded stakeholders forum, with a view to ensuring sanity and effective campaign strategy, preparatory to the 2027 general elections.
Inaugurating the council members, Governor Nasir Idris observed that it will further unite the membership of the party in the state, ensure provision of purposeful leadership that will carry everybody along in ensuring landslide victory in 2027.
The council is headed by a rugged, seasoned and uncompromising politician, Alhaji Abubakar Mallam Shettiman Gwandu the Managing Director of Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority ( SRRBDA) as grand patron with some National Assembly members, committed elders and other responsible members as patrons while an Executive committee with a Director General has also been appointed.
Governor Nasir Idris has, however, warned that the council and the State Executive committee of the party should be seen as partners aimed at achieving one goal and not rivals, as such there must be harmonious working relationship.
Meanwhile, many speakers at the occasion gave several reasons which included execution of valuable infrastructure in various sectors of economy and therefore the need for the constitution of the council for continuity of President Tinubu and Governor Nasir beyond 2027.
Among the speakers was a former Governor and serving Minister of Budget and Economic, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who reminded the gathering that the issue of endorsement of President Tinubu and Comrade Governor Nasir Idris was a foregone conclusion because the two leaders have since February being endorsed by the people of the state at a thank you rally organised by associations, trade unions, farmers and the business community,which he added, was copied and replicated in Kaduna by the North West chapter of the All Progressive the Congress (APC) two weeks ago.
In his remarks, the former Senate Leader and one of the decampees, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, said, ” regardless of whatever anybody will say, they are founding members of the party and now decided to come back home because of the respect and high regards both President Tinubu and Governor Nasir have for them in addition to the remarkable successes being achieved by Governor Nasir’s administration within two years “.
In his acceptance speech, the grand patron of TINUBU/KAURA two terms, Alhaji Abubakar Mallam warned that the in the absence of any political party with visible politicians of substance, the leadership and membership of the party must remain steadfast and resolute in championing the course of the party.
He warned that on no account should members be carried away by the coming on board of the three Senators, the remarkable development recorded in the state by Comrade Nasir Idris administration with the intervention of President Tinubu and the overwhelming support of the people of Kebbi State, but remained confident that the victory of all the APC candidates in 2027 is guaranteed, Insha Allah “