Presidential race: I am still consulting – Kwankwaso

From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos & Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin.

Following the calls by many groups and individuals on the governor of Kano state, Alhaji Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso to contest for the office of the president come 2015, the governor has said that he was still making consultations with some stakeholders across the country before making any declaration on the presidential race.

The governor, who stated this yesterday, on the Hausa Service of the BBC, said for the past two years people have been producing and pasting his posters, calling on him to contest for the office of the president, but that he had asked them to stop until consultations were made.

“People have been calling on me to vie for the office of the president in 2015, but I always tell them that I needed to consult some people across the country for their advice. I have never said I would contest for the presidency. As soon as I finish my consultations I will make my decision public.”, the governor said.

On whether his political ambition to contest for the presidency has affected his good relationship with former military Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), who is also vying for the presidential ticket and is a strong contender in the race, Kwankwaso disputed such insinuations, saying that nothing had affected his relationship with Buhari, adding that, “We have a good relationship and understanding with Buhari.”

He added that “those trying to bring misunderstanding between myself and Buhari are enemies of progress”, urging people to discard such rumour any time they hear it.

Meanwhile, a pressure group, Southern Mandate, has declared that a Kwankwaso ticket would put the All Progressives Congress (APC) on a smooth sail to win the 2015 poll.

The group however, urged Gen. Buhari to ignore the calls for him to run in next year’s presidential election and support Kwankwaso, whom it said has demonstrated courage to govern the nation because of his antecedents.

National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Francis Ikonomwan, who stated this at a news briefing in Benin City, where he cited Buhari’s announcement not to contest subsequent elections after the 2011 presidential election declared in favour of Kwankwaso.

Ikonomwan urged Buhari not to renege in his wise counsels, explaining that “Nigeria is an entity and we all own it. So, it is all about who will take the country to the Promised Land”.

It also clarified that the group’s appeal became necessary, owing to the political track records of the Kano governor, adding that his candidacy will no doubt put the APC in a vantage position to take over power at the centre.

The group noted that PDP has not done enough to retain power in next General Elections.