Gov. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has said that he and some of his colleagues pushed for change in the national leadership of the APC, because of the bitter experience they had with the previous leadership of the party, under Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
“During the previous administration, we were marginalized and our opponents within the party were used officially against us. That was very painful”, he lamented.
A statement signed by the Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Ameen K. Yassar informed that the governor, who made the remark while receiving the National Organizing Secretary of the APC, Barr. Emma Ibediro in his office in Kano explained that the unfortunate development provoked some of his colleagues so “we decided to take active part to ensure that a change was effected: a change for the better”, he said.
According to him, “We decided to effect a change and luckily, Mr. President, who is a national leader of the party, gave his consent to what we wanted to do”.
“We are now benefitting from the change (in the leadership of the party) and we are witnessing full participation of stakeholders in the scheme of things”, Gov. Ganduje stressed.
He thanked the National Organizing Secretary for the visit, pointing out that the relationship between his state, Imo, and Kano has been cemented by Gov. Rochas Okorocha because of his all-embracing nature.
Earlier, the National Organizing Secretary, Barr. Emma Ibediro said he came to Kano purposely to thank the governor for the role he played in his emergence as a national officer of the party, pointing out that as a Christian, he had learnt to extend gratitude to whoever does good to him.
“My emergence as National Organizing Secretary was largely made possible by you. Kano state gave me over 500 votes and with that kind of result, it was nearly impossible for me to be defeated”, he stated.
“I assure you that whatever has to do with Kano state as long as it has to do with me, I will give it the attention it requires”, the National Organizing Secretary added.
Appreciating the governor for translating the manifesto of the APC into reality, Barr. Ibediro said: “I went round with you in the bus and I saw genuine love for you from the people: you have done well. You were able to connect with the people genuinely and God will reward you”.
