The immediate past Governor of Kano State and a serving Senator, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has disowned the mob said to have brandished weapons during his visit to Ganduje to condole with Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on the death of his mother.
Kwankwaso also asked the state government not to cause disaffection between him and President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said the state government should concentrate on delivery of democratic dividends rather than chasing shadows.
Kwankwaso made his feelings known in a statement through his Political Adviser, Dr. Yunusa Adamu Dangwani, saying he had avoided Kano since May 29, 2015 when he handed over power “so as to give the government of H.E Abdullahi Umar Ganduje space and time to settle down.”
But he added:”The news of the demise of Hajiya Fatima Umar Ganduje came to Senator Kwankwaso as a great shock which, according to traditional norms necessitated the visit to Kano to condole with the governor, government and people of Kano State, especially considering the close ties as his former deputy for eight years and also his former Special Adviser as Minister of Defence.
“He deliberately gave short notice for the condolence visit, but was pleasantly surprised by the turnout of the good people of Kano who came to receive him at the Malam Aminu Kano Airport and escorted him to Ganduje village.”
He expressed surprise “that some local people brandished local weapons, not minding the somber occasion. It is unfortunate that they could not be chided, thus we left them with their weapons at Ganduje.
“It is, therefore, appalling and rather unfortunate that the good gesture of Sen. Kwankwaso has been mischievously interpreted wrongly.
“It is also disheartening that a few hours after the death of our state Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Isa Ali Danmaraya, the government was busy coercing and misleading some party leadership into addressing a press conference that will only culminate in splitting the APC in Kano.
“Furthermore, it is apt at this juncture to call on the Kano State government to desist from dragging the name of President Muhammadu Buhari to cover for their administration’s obvious weaknesses, but rather strive to concentrate on facing the enormous challenges of governance such that perhaps he may also be revered and respected by the good people of Kano State.”
