A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kano, Sha’aban Sharada, has explained why he walked out on the primaries and rejected the results.
Mr Sharada is the only aspirant challenging the nomination of the deputy governor, Nasiru Gawuna, as the anointed candidate early May.
In a statement sent to DAILY NIGERIAN on Friday, Mr Sharada said he nearly escaped assassination and that some of his supporters were attacked and killed.
“I narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during our party Gubernatorial primary election that took place today in Kano.
“Few minutes to the commencement of the exercise, I was cautioned by a security personnel not come to the venue of the election and at the same time, I received a text message from the primary election committee chairman in person of Senator Tijjani Kaura who urged me to be in the venue.
“To my surprise, the security personnel deployed from Abuja were asked to step down from escorting me to the election venue.
“In addition to this discovery, another person informed me of a rumor circulating on the issue of my assassination, all in an attempt to deter me from becoming the APC flag-bearer. I took the required safety measures and sneaked into the election venue, thanks to Allah (SWT).
“In my manifestation speech, I drew the attention of the entire stakeholders on the plans by the Kano State Government to enforce an anointed candidate to our party delegates by not allowing them to exercise their constitutional right to vote their prefered candidate. However, no action was taken.
“While the exercise continues, there were further plans to use thugs and end my life on my exit from the venue. Later, I equally received another intel that those thugs already attacked, killed and injured many of my supporters and that prompted me to quickly leave the venue and proceeded to the hospital where they were receiving medical attention.
“Thus, for me the soul of one person is more valuable than to become a governor.
“To this end, I am calling on the security agencies and our great party to seriously investigate and punish the perpetrators and also to immediately nullify the so-called primary election that was marred with a lot of irregularities, vote buying and intimidation. This did not reflect the ideal of our great party and true democracy.
“While assuring our teeming supporters that we will continue with the struggle of reclaiming and restoring the respect and dignity of our state, this attempt will not discourage me to stop the good work we are doing.
“Finally, I pray for Allah’s forgiveness to those who lost their lives and pray for the speedy recovery of those that are injured. May Allah continue to protect us, our dear state and Nigeria at large,” Mr Sharada added.
