By ‘Dotun Akintomide
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has restated his determination to ensure the senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani does not get the ticket of the All Progressives Congress to return back to the Senate next year.
El-Rufai’s outburst came just two days after Sani paid Sallah homage to President Muhammadu Buhari at Daura, Katsina State.
Sani had disclosed that they deliberated on issues bordering on strengthening the All Progressives Congress, APC, through resolution of all internal tissues.
He said: “I am also here to fully assure him of the support of my constituency, Kaduna Central, to his aspiration for the second term.
“I’m also here to assure him (President Buhari) of my own wholehearted support to the success of his administration and his return to office for the second term.
On his Kaduna Central Senatorial ticket, the senator told journalists in Daura that, “the party had made it very clear and known to each and every person that there will be reward for loyalty but in every sense of the word due process of the party needs to be followed.”
Meanwhile, while addressing party stakeholders at Kaduna North Local Government Area, El-Rufai declared that he would only listen to the senator if he secures $350million loan for Kaduna State.
“In politics, it is impossible to hide your choice. Government officials have their choices but the government does not have a candidate. Whoever you selected, is the choice of God”, Daily Nigerian quoted him as saying.
“But as you all know, I have my candidate here. You may recall that we voted for somebody named Shehu Sani in the last election. When he went to Abuja and drank Abuja water, he started misbehaving, abusing the president and this government and sabotaging the party.
“For this, I personally asked Uba Sani to contest against him. So Uba Sani is my candidate.
“As you all know, Shehu Sani is among the senators who denied Kaduna State access to loan. Since he has shown the people of Kaduna State this enmity, you must pay him back in his own coin at the primary election.
“I therefore, seek your favour in the primary election to support Uba Sani.
“We are surprised that Shehu Sani has not left the party. We thought he would commit political apostasy like others, but he remained in the party making efforts to correct his sins.
“We are waiting for him. As I have said, we have no grouse about him but his character. If he repents, we will listen to him. But if he refuses to secure that $350million loan for Kaduna State, we will not listen to him.
“Those close to him should tell him: wherever he goes (for lobbying), we will not listen to him if he did not bring $350million to Kaduna”.
