APC ‘Recruitment Drive’: The Party Went To Kano And Jigawa To Woo Kwankwaso And Lamido To Join Their Rank

The leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday formally invited governor of Kano State Musa Kwankwaso and governor of Jigwa State Sule Lamido to join the party.

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During closed-door meetings, APC leaders assured the governors of a good deal should the two join their rank.

The leaders who held talks with the governors include former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, interim National Chairman of the APC, Bisi Akande, Interim Deputy National Chairman, Aminu Masari, and a former EFCC Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu. The governors on the delegation were Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti)

At the meeting with Kwankwaso, Buhari said the APC delegation was in the ancient city of Kano as part of APC “recruitment drive” to ensure that Kano joins the progressive fold. Messrs Akande and Okorocha, alao encouraged him to join the APC, praising him for advancing the Kano State.

Kwankwaso, however, said he would consult stakeholders of the the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state before deciding on whether to defect to the APC.

“Certainly we will sit down all of us and look at all the challenges and the consequences if any, and together we will take decision on what to do and communicate to you.”

The governor, who had severally hinted that the aggrieved governors of PDP might join the APC if talks with Jonathan broke down, added that he was happy that the leadership of the opposition party, which comprised highly respected Nigerians, found him worthy of the visit, pointing out that he had associated in one way or the other with most leaders of the party in the past 20 years.

Meanwhile, governor Lamido did not make any commitment on joining the APC, Premium Times reports.

The governor was said to have expressed gratitude to the opposition leaders, adding that their initiative went beyond politics because it was about the future of the country.

There also have been indications that APC invited the governor of Sokoto State,  Aliyu Wamakko, when they met on Wednesday during the foundation laying ceremony of the Sokoto State University. The details of their meeting, however, have not been made public.

The trio of Kwankwaso, Lamido and Wamakko belong to the seven aggrieved governors of PDP, who have been canvassing the overhaul of the leadership of the ruling party, especially the sack of its National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur.

The APC delegation will next go to Yola, Adamawa State to meet with the state governor, Murtala Nyako, who has repeatedly described the PDP as a dead party.