BY JULIET NONYE
Kaduna
Secretary New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Kaduna State, Major Yahaya Inuwa (RTD) has affirmed Hon. Shehu Bawa ABG as the party’s Kaduna North House of Reps candidate in 2023 general election.
He disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in the party’s Kaduna Office.
It would be recalled the NNPP’s Presidential candidate, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso had made a similar pronouncement penultimate weekend in Kaduna, affirming ABG as the party’s Kaduna North candidate for 2023 House of Reps general election.
Inuwa revealed that the name of ABG had long been forwarded and submitted to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as required by the Electoral Acts, adding that leadership of the party in the state was not aware of any legal action challenging the candidature of the former federal legislator.
“The party has a robust mechanism for internal dispute resolution to mediate amongst members, particularly those wishing to contest election under the NNPP’s platform so we won’t be distracted by undue court cases instituted by aggrieved members.
“In Kaduna North Federal House of Reps, due to popularity of the party for example, we had a candidate, Muhammad Ali whose name along side others, such as former governor of Kano state for example, appeared on INEC’s website as our Candidates for 2023 general election.
“Former governor Ibrahim Shekarau who had left our party and others who did not emerge elected as our candidates can’t be paraded as our flag bearers.
“The leadership of the party at National level went to court and succeeded in obtaining order to compel the election umpire to effect the changes the party needed, including the name of ABG who emerged after the conduct of primary election to fill in various elective positions in the forthcoming general election.
“Fortunately for our party, INEC accepted the Court ruling with grace and complied in obedience to election acts which give political parties the prerogative to present their candidates after exploring internal democracy, conducting primary election for example.
“I am telling you with certainty today that Shehu Bawa ABG is our candidate who will be flying the flag of our party in 2023 general election inshaa Allah, until otherwise happens.
“All we’re occupied with at this moment in the state is to present a workable and robust manifesto to the people of Kaduna on ways to rescue them from the nearly eight years of APC misrule, retrogression, oppressive handling of civil servants, traditional rulers, traders and other residents in general.
“We are crossing the whole thing and applying dots on the Issue to ensure the state is rescued through our governorship candidate, Suleiman Hunkuyi and other flag bearers of our party and We wouldn’t want internal distraction at this moment.
“The other aspirant, Muhammad Ali, whose name earlier appeared on INEC’s compendium, I believe would find an amicable way to iron and settle issues with ABG to the satisfaction of all.
“I am optimistic when our party would have won at National level by emergence of our candidate as elected President of Nigeria, all aggrieved party loyalists would be compensated beyond their expectations.
“You don’t have to contest election to be recognized as an important figure in a political party. We have the likes of the present finance minister and ex head of NPA for example who are from this state and didn’t contest election but got juicy appointments.
“Our party will surely not forget her members whose sacrifice and contributions have made us strong and formidable,” he assured.
