Buhari, Tinubu, APC Governors Storm Kano, Jigawa, Hold Talks With Kwankwaso, Lamido

Former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor elected under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and other leaders of the party Thursday held a high level talk with Kano state governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in a bid to get him to crossover to their party.

The visit particular by General Buhari puts paid to reports that the former Head of State is not comfortable with a possible alliance between the APC and the New PDP, especially against the backdrop of reports that Governor Kwankwaso may be considered for the presidential ticket.

According to one of the associates, who pleaded anonymity, “if there is any resistance to the planned fusion, which is also intended to bring the G7+5 nPDP governors into the APC, it will be coming from the ‘old guards’ of Buhari associates, who are no longer relevant to his political ministry”.

READ: APC, New PDP To Close Deal Before November 20…See Details From Sokoto Meeting

READ: APC Leaders’ Meeting With G-7 Governors Unsettles PDP

Speaking on the visit to the Kano governor, Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, said that leaders of the APC decided to come for solidarity with the governor and others because of the persecution they  were suffering  in their party.

Akande spoke at Kano Government House on Thursday after holding  about one hour meeting with Kano state Governor with leaders of the APC.

He said “We are proud to showcase our own party, APC as likeminded party of people like you”.

In his own remarks, General Buhari told Kwankwanso: “We voted you out in 2003 and want to say that it was not your red cap that brought you back to power for a second term rather it was sheer dint of luck and that is what we are also looking for to bounce back.”

Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha, who spoke on behalf of the governors present on the occasion, said APC was a movement to re-shape Nigeria.

“The victory of APC in 2015 is signed, sealed and delivered. We started this with Kano because we know what Kwankwaso represents in Nigerian development. We are therefore calling on all people of Kano State to know how influential Kwankwaso is in Nigerian politics,” Rochas stated.

In his response, Governor Kwankwanso said: “We have heard you, we would sit down with stakeholders to take decision anytime from now. I must not fail to mention that we are much stronger than what we were in 2011. Kwankwasiyya was powerful enough to win 2011, and by the Grace of God we are going to make a difference again in 2015,”

Kwankwanso in a remark to his supporters present said: “My people, all those that matter in the APC are here and whoever is not here now has no national carriage to move the party.”

rom Kano, the team proceeded to Dutse, Jigawa State where they also met with Governor Sule Lamido.

Chief Akande said they were in Dutse to woo Governor Lamido to join them in their bid to rescue Nigeria. He expressed wonder why an astute politician and committed leader like Lamido was still in PDP, saying that they needed him in APC to help salvage Nigeria.

Replying, Governor Lamido one of the nine persons that mooted the formation of the PDP in 1998, said he would continue to remain in the party which he said made him what he is today. He nevertheless agreed that the PDP is very sick and needed a medication like the APC to cure it.

Lamido said: “Even if I leave PDP, the party we gave birth, gave me many positions in my life, still we will leave our supporters in the party.”

The APC team is expected to proceed to Adamawa State where it is expected to meet with Governor Nyako. That meeting which was earlier scheduled for last night, was cancelled based on the curfew presently in place in Adamawa State.

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