By Abdulgafar Oladimeji
Hundreds of supporters of a suspended member of the House of Representatives representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency, Abdulmumini Jibrin, on Wednesday thronged the Kano State headquarters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in protest against his planned suspension by the party.
The embattled lawmaker, in a tweet-storm on his Twitter handle, advised President Muhammadu Buhari to resign in view of his health challenge and failure to discharge his responsibility as president.
Worried by the lawmaker’s comments, the state chapter of the party decided to take disciplinary action against him, a decision that did not go down well with the people of his constituency.
Sources at the party secretariat told our correspondent that the party’s plan to mete out sanction on Mr Jibrin on Wednesday faced stiff resistance by the youths of Kiru/Bebeji constituency.
Our reporter who visited secretariat observed the youth in their hundreds shouting “Sai Maliya” – Mr Jibrin’s campaign slogan – and sang solidarity songs in unison.
One of the youths, Tasi’u Taro, from Bebeji constituency, said he was against any disciplinary action against Mr Jibrin.
“This man has improved our lives. He is executing projects, giving scholarships, offering empowerment grants in our constituency despite his suspension by the House. He has brought numerous developmental projects in our constituency. So we must stand by him.
“This outpouring solidarity and support we are showing was because of his commitment to our welfare, uncommon generosity and quality representation.
“Although we are still supporting Buhari, we are supporting Abdulmumin the more because he is closer us, he listens to our problems and attend to our plights,” Mr Taro said.
Another protester, Sani Kaura, expressed displeasure over the decision of the party to sanction Mr Jibrin, saying “the alleged comment he made against Buhari was an advice, which he is entitled to offer as a citizen”.
A party leader who pleaded anonymity said this is the first time in the political history of the state for people to rally round a politician who openly criticized Mr Buhari.
