Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters in Kaduna State, at the weekend,
turned the Igbo Cultural Day into a campaign rally when representatives of their
governorship candidate stormed the Prison Staff Training College, Barnawa, venue
of the event.
The jubilant PDP supporters were chanting the party’s slogan despite the
presence the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Governor Nasir el-Rufai,
and his entourage.
While former Commissioner of Finance, Dr. John Ayuba, and PDP youth leader,
Danjuma Sariki, represented the PDP candidate, Isa Kudan, the governor was
physically present.
El-Rufai and his entourage, who came much earlier, did not enjoy the rousing
welcome the PDP representatives were given when they eventually arrived.
However, the governor, who reeled out the achievements of his administration to
the Igbo community, was conferred with the title of Ocho-Udo (peace-seeker)
Ndigbo, Kaduna.
President-general of Igbo Community Welfare Association (ICWA), Kaduna, Chief
Chris Nnoli, said that the Igbo in the 19 northern states appreciated El-Rufai
for his courage in condemning the quit notice to the Igbo in the northern as
well as ordering the arrest of those behind the notice.
The PDP representatives explained that they arrived late because they thought
that the governor would have denied the Igbo access to the venue, even as there
was no formal invitation to them.
Meanwhile, PDP House of Representatives candidate for Tudun Wada/Doguwa federal
constituency of Kano State, Air Cdr. Salisu Yusau (rtd.), has ignored a peace
accord for major political parties organised by the police in the state.
Yusau is contesting the seat against the All Progressives Congress (APC)
candidate, Alhassan Doguwa, who is chief whip of the green chamber, and others.
At least, one person was recently killed and several others injured when
supporters of PDP and APC candidates clashed, a development that generated
palpable fear in the constituency, according to reports.
Doguwa, who made himself available at the weekend, had failed to honour the
invitation earlier with Yusau, The Guardian learnt.
The Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Yusuf, told reporters after meeting with the
chief whip that that the latter was at the state’s police headquarters to honour
the invitation for a peace accord following the tense political atmosphere in
his constituency.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP. Magaji Magiya, explained that the
peace accord meeting would be rescheduled to enable candidates of both major
parties attend. He insisted that police would not tolerate violation of law and
order within the constituency.
-GUARDIAN-
