Governor Umar Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has declared any parallel congress electing state executives as illegal, null, and void.
This comes as Police chased away hundreds of Senator Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau supporters from a parallel congress venue.
Hundreds of supporters of Shekarau, Senator Barau Jibrin; House of Representatives members, Shaaban Sharada and Abdulkadir Jobe, had gathered at Sani Abacha Youth Center, Madobi Road to conduct their parallel congress.
However, a combined team of Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, and vigilantes were sent to take over the venue stopping anybody from penetrating the place.
A police officer stationed at the gate of the parallel congress venue told a team of journalists that he was working under instructions not to allow anybody access as the congress going in Kano was that of Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium.
Ganduje’s outburst might not be unconnected to reports of a parallel congress going on in the state as organized by the faction of former Governor, Senator Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, Barau Jibrin, and others.
The Governor, who was surrounded by high powered loyalists of Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, commissioners, and other party loyalists, said his congress is the only genuine and legally-backed one.
Already, the Sani Abacha Indoor Sports Hall, the venue of Ganduje-backed congress of All Progressives Congress was filled to capacity with delegates from the 44 local government areas coming to cast their votes.
Ganduje’s arrival at the venue was greeted by ecstatic delegates who displayed dance steps as the governor moved round the stands to acknowledge their cheers.
The Governor revealed that all other congresses from wards to local governments were conducted peacefully and with the full participation of APC National Headquarters observers.
“Therefore, one could clearly see that our Congress is nothing but the actual legally recognize Congress with Abuja Screening Committee undertaking their assignments,” he said.
