Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and officials are reportedly in Kano to formalize the defection of former governor of the state, Ibrahim Shekarau to the party on Monday.
Shekarsu, a former Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) fell out with the incumbent governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and decided to pitch tent with Rabiu Kwankwanso, another former governor of the state, and presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party ( NNPP)
That alliance was an exercise in futility as Shekarau claimed that Kwankwanso reneged on agreement reached.
Recall that Shekarau, was a member of the until 2018 .He joined the APC in 2019 and contested Senatorial election under the platform.
Kano appears to be one of key swing states that would determine the 2023 elections which explains why the embattled Presidential Candidate of the PDP and members are in the state to woo Shekarau who is one of the leading political figures in Kano.
Ganduje,a loyal APC leader and staunch supporter of the APC presidential candidate,Bola Ahmed Tinubu is said to be leaving no stone unturned in moblising Kano for APC.
Kwankwanso, with spontaneous followership is another personality that cannot be ignored
Atiku is expected to meet with various groups in the state including Islamic scholars, youth groups .
The PDP is embroiled in internal crisis that tends to swallow the little gains it recorded since its defeat as ruling party in 2015 general elections.
The Atiku – Wike dispute which saw a glimmer of hope only last week in far away London, appeared to have briefly unsettled critics as the mood among the rank and file of the opposition party seem different a few days on.
Atiku is said to be held by the jugular by the Wike team who had pressed forward demands that it claimed was for the good of the party and the nation, one of which was the immediate resignation of the National Chairman, Iyorcha Ayu from office and return of the seat to the South.
But this was a hard pill that allies of Ayu could swallow as they plead anonymous and causing further rift in the party by their” Ayu will not step down.” statements.
From all indication, a repeat of 2015 where the PDP lost no fewer than four governors to the APC is playing out. Wike and four governors in his team have a lot to contribute to the victory of any political party as previous scenarios have shown. The PDP might be playing with a time bomb if it chooses to ignore the signs and warnings.
