Ganduje approves Kano stadium for Atiku’s rally

The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has ordered a temporary suspension of the ongoing renovation of Sani Abacha Stadium in the state in order to allow the campaign rally of the presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar.

The State’s Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, said the directive does not affect ”the ongoing overhaul of the indoor sports complex.”

The state’s football team, Kano Pillars, has also been instructed to use the Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari for training sessions.

The approval comes a day after the governor had ordered the immediate closure of two stadia in the state for renovation purposes.

The closure of the Sani Abacha Stadium at Kofar Mata and Kano Pillars Stadium at Sabon Gari came five days to PDP’s campaign rally in the state.

Abubakar was scheduled to visit the state for his campaign on Sunday, February 10, while the renovation is expected to end on Monday, February 18.

The proposed renovation works include installation of a new scoreboard, running track and provision of steady water supply to all parts of the stadia. A source, who pleaded anonymity, alleged the shutdown was intended to frustrate the PDP campaign rally.

But the spokesman of the State Sports Commission, Abbati Sabo, said the closure had nothing to do with the PDP rally, adding that the renovation work was embarked upon in preparation for the 2019-2020 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

“As far as I am concerned, this directive does not have any political undertone. The state government was advised to renovate the stadia ahead of the NPL season,” Sabo said.

“The government had now heeded to the advice and ordered for the project in order to have smooth conduct of the league. As you can see, the facilities are in need of repair and the government has now answered the call for their renovation,” he added.