Step down for LP guber candidate, supporters tell PDP’s Ashiru

Miyetti Allah, others endorse APC in Kebbi
As realignments continue towards the 2023 general elections, supporters of Isa Ashiru, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, have asked him to step down and support his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Jonathan Asake.

Asake is the President of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU).

Ashiru’s support groups in the 2019 general elections advised him to relinquish his aspiration and support Asake, who is from the southern part of Kaduna.

The coalition is made up of Ashiru/Katung Youth Vanguard, Sarkin Bai Southern Kaduna Support Group, Ashiru/Katung Mobilisation Network among others.

Chairman of the coalition, Joel Garba, stated in Kaduna, yesterday, that the reality and permutations, as well as the spirit and letters of the constitution, which encapsulate the Federal Character principle, did not favour Ashiru.

“It is the constitutional right of Ashiru to contest; but it will be morally unjust for one zone (out of three) that has held power for over 10 years since the military returned power to civilians in 1999, to emerge as governor in 2023,” the coalition argued.

On why they settled for the LP candidate, the statement said: “Asake is the leader of Southern Kaduna people spread across at least 14 local councils with population not less than 4.5 million persons and voting strength of almost two million.

“He has served as House of Representatives member, Interim Management Committee Chairman of Zangon Kataf Local Council, former lecturer, among others.”

These make him more than competent to lead the state. He has proven himself to be a good manager of diversity and lover of humanity, which he manifested in his unrelenting advocacy to end the Southern Kaduna killings.”

IN Kebbi State, Miyetti Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), transport unions and traders on perishable food items have endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 polls.

Addressing journalists after visiting the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Nasiru Idris (Kaura Gwandu), yesterday, in Birnin Kebbi, the Chairman, Tinubu/Bagudu/Kaura Campaign Organisations, Abdulrazak Mohammed, said the unions’ leaders formed the campaign movement to ensure that the APC wins the general elections in the state.

“We are ready to deliver Kebbi for APC with millions of votes. We have started mobilising our members. The organisations comprise different traders’ associations and other relevant stakeholders across the 21 local councils,” he said.

Responding, Idris thanked the unions’ leaders for their support, assuring them that his aspiration would bring more development to the state.

“This movement is for all of us. I am not going to disappoint anyone by the special grace of God. I am a teacher from the grassroots and will also put smile on the faces of the civil servants,” he said.