By Ibrahim Sulaiman
The Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai on Saturday warned his political opponents not to fight him, saying when late President Umaru Yar’Adua fought him, he died.
APC in Kaduna State is enmeshed in crises, with two party senators, Shehu Sani and Sulaiman Hunkuyi and a number of members of the House of Representatives forming a formidable faction against the governor.
“I had fought with two presidents,” Mr El-Rufai said at the Kaduna APC stakeholders meeting held at Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna, “Umaru Yar’Adua ended in his grave, while President Goodluck Jonathan ended in Otueke.”
He therefore called on the warring factions of the party to sheath their swords and unite for the development of APC in the state as he is ready to confront whoever tests his will as the leader of the party in the state.
“Let us forget our differences and work for the development of the party. If you are not willing to stop the fight, you should know that I am a dogged fighter,” he said.
The governor later knelt before the stakeholders, apologizing to the ward, local government and state excos, members of state and National Assembly and other stakeholders of the party for all his wrongdoings.
“I implore you to tell me the wrong I did to you and I will apologize. But if it goes beyond today, I will never tender apology,” he added.
Although Senator Hunkuyi was not invited to the meeting, he made a surprise appearance. In his remark, he said although holds Mr El-Rufai in high esteem as “elder brother”, it is normal to have political differences.
“But there is difference between politics and the respect I have for you. If you make a single wrong step in politics, I will not hesitate to correct you,” Mr Hunkuyi told the governor.
