Politics
2011: Shekarau Joins Race For Presidency
Governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano State has declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2011 on the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) platform with a promise to engender change.
Shekarau, the only governor that has served two terms in Kano State, made the declaration on Thursday in Abuja at a ceremony organised by “Shekarau for Nigeria Project 2011” group.
According to him, 50 years have gone in the history of Nigeria as a country since independence, and it is therefore time for a new beginning for the nation.
He said the aspiration for a new and better Nigeria could be achieved only when Nigerians “elect a leader who cares, someone whose only interest is to build, whose only interest is to raise Nigeria above everything associated with corruption.”
“A leader whose only interest is to fight poverty and implement policies that will create employment, whose only interest is to put the country on the path of growth by restoring confidence in our system and by honouring our commitments.
“It is with great humility that I offer myself for this selfless service,” he said.
The ANPP presidential aspirant said that it was a common knowledge that Nigerians of every standing and circumstance were struggling relentlessly to improve their lives.
He noted that the entire country “is yearning for an operating environment that is rule-based and transparent’’.
Shekarau also said that the attitude of the components of the society in any nation depended largely on the qualities of its leaders.
“Citizens of a given nation cannot manifest a higher degree of discipline than their leaders.
“Nobody will contest that Nigeria in the First Republic possessed more sense of brotherhood and general decorum than we do today,” he noted.
Such landmark leadership, he noted, was achieved by people like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr Nnmadi Azikwe and others who displayed laudable virtues and values with the fear of God.
He declared that attitude ”left the colonial masters in no doubt about their sincerity of purpose and commitment to service of the people”.
According to the governor, the attention given to structural development in the place of attitudinal change in Nigeria “has left us with wider roads, but with narrower viewpoints, more degrees but less sense”.
“We planned more but accomplish less. We learn to rush but not to take our turn. We attempted to conquer outer space but not inner space.
‘We build taller buildings but with shorter tempers, so much that our apex law-making citizens could resort to exchange of blow while at work, instead of ideas,” he said.
He, however, argued that if Nigeria got its act together it could change the world.
“In order for that to be accomplished, however, we must take responsibility; we must participate in this new Nigeria enterprise, we must moblise and organise as groups, as communities and professionals and elect responsible leaders at all levels,” he said.
He, therefore, urged the people to come together and elect him as the president to build a better Nigeria.
“With great humility I present myself as one in your number who is committed to provide the kind of leadership you have been yearning for, if you elect me as your president in 2011,” he declared.
In his comment, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Olu Falae, described Shekarau as a performer who transformed Kano State, that was known for riots and social unrest to a peaceful and stable state in the past seven years.
“I have told him more than once that I truly believe in his ambition to be president, which is motivated by his sense of patriotism and commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria,” he said.
The former Secretary to the Federal Government, said “the true characteristic of a true progressive movement is its commitment to welfare of the average citizen through policies and programmes”.
“The people of Nigeria deserve better progressive administration than what PDP government has inflicted on them,” he said.
The former presidential candidate on the AD/ANPP ticket called on all progressive parties to field a single list of candidates against the PDP in all elections in 2011.
“I wish to seize this opportunity to call on the leadership of progressive parties to agree to attend a summit of leaders to work out modalities for this historic alliance after Ramadan.
“Consultations are ongoing about the timing and venue.
“I hope and pray that we will not let Nigeria down by failing to reach agreement on this historic platform which is the only way to put the PDP out of business for many years to come,’’ he said.
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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