Defection: Ganduje Receives Kano PDP Chairman, Kwankwasiyya Faction

Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Wednesday night received the state Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Kwankwasiyya faction Engineer Rabi’u Sulaiman Bichi who defects to the ruling All Progressives Party (APC).

During the visit at the Kano Government House, Governor Ganduje received him alongside with all Kwankwasiyya Coordinators from the 44 local governments of the state, former Commissioners who served under Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso’s regime,

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Abba Anwar and obtained by Solacebase.

It said former Advisers under Engr Rabiu Kwankwaso, some of the students who were sponsored to foreign universities during Kwankwaso’s administration, party leaders at all levels, were all part of the team at the government house.

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In his remarks, the former PDP State Chairman, Engineer Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, said their decision to cross carpet to the ruling party, APC, was unanimously taken to answer governor Ganduje’s call and invitation to opposition parties and politicians, to come and join hands with him in order to move the state to the next level.

“We believe in governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s genuine commitment in developing our dear state, that was why when he invited all other opposition elements to come and join hands with him in moving the state forward we have resolved to come forward and contribute in developing the state,” he said.

Bichi emphasized that in his capacity as the former Chairman of the opposition PDP and leader of Kwankwasiyya political group “… we are today answering the call of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje for an inclusive government.”

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“The infrastructural development we are seeing all over the state, other human-centred policies like free and compulsory primary and secondary education are some of the major reasons that informed our decision to come forward Your Excellency,” he said.

He finally noted that their cross carpeting to the ruling APC was just a case of history repeating itself. Adding that “Myself and His Excellency Governor Ganduje were the brains behind the formation and nurturing of Kwankwasiyya group within the larger PDP family then.

We grew it up and we used our intellect to make it what it is today. So when we abandoned that, it is a clear indication that there is something fundamentally wrong with it. Other followers, who are yet to grasp the reality should take serious note. Former governor Kwankwaso has derailed completely.”

In his response, Ganduje welcomed them and assured them that, they would be carried along in the development of the state.

He reminded how his political life helped former governor Kwankwaso, since during the military era, when there was an election into the Constituent Assembly.

“Even during the 1999 period when Military regime then lifted the ban on political activities. We contested primary election in the PDP and it was very clear for all those who participated in that process that, it was me,  Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who emerged as the winner of that primaries, but numbers were changed in his favour.

That time I revolted that another fresh primary election be conducted. But I was advised to shun my call for another election, so as to give peace a chance. I succumbed to that and let the matter die a natural,” Ganduje reminded.

He continued that he was consoled to be Kwankwaso’s running mate then. “I accepted in good faith. When he was trying to make it as if he was doing a favour to me for that, I told him point-blank that he was not doing any favour to me to be his running mate.

I made him understand that my wish and point of interest was to conduct another fresh primary election. Just ask him what transpired then between me and him. Elders like the late Alhaji Lili Gabari consoled me again,” he challenged.

He recounted many ordeals that characterised his relationship with Kwankwaso for many years, explaining further that, “Myself and Rabi’u Sulaiman Bichi, knew Kwankwaso and we know him very clearly. To say it all, I am the Encyclopedia and Dictionary of knowing Kwankwaso. For this, I cannot compare him with anybody in terms of self-centredness. He knows nobody but himself, in whatever he is doing.”

Kwankwaso’s great ordeal in life now, according to governor Ganduje, is how to become President. This, he said “…was what informed all his decisions in cross carpeting to different political parties at different intervals. We are aware of his plan to now come back to APC, our great party.

Because he thinks he has a chance when President Muhammadu Buhari completes his second tenure come 2023. So we are all watching him and we are waiting for him.”

To make it clearer how Kwankwaso was not even happy that he (Ganduje) becomes governor, right from day one, “When I got the ticket to run for gubernatorial position in 2015, and he was vying for Senatorial seat, he never, even for once, follow my campaign train.

Not even a Dime was given as his campaign contribution. And when I got it, he started exhibiting some behaviours that are unbecoming of any person in his position, towards the administration.

At the special visit by Engineer Rabiu Bichi and other defectors, some very notable former Kwankwasiyya staunch followers like Arc. Aminu Dabo, General (rtd) Idris Bello Dambazau, Nasiru Aliko Koki, former National Treasurer of APC Bala Gwagwarwa were at the event.

Others include Comrade Tijjani Dambazau and  Binta  Sipikin.