Shekarau Accuses Kwankwaso Of Electoral Breaches

The former Kano State governor and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Kano, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has accused Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of bulk purchase of the clearance forms for all the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the forthcoming local government election, describing the action as a clear violation of the election guidelines. Fielding questions from journalists, Shekarau said he was reliably informed that a draft was made from the government office containing the amount of money for the purchase of the forms for all the APC candidates and was submitted to the bank so as to collect the forms collectively. He, however, confirmed PDP’s readiness to participate in the forthcoming local government election, even as he has challenged the state electoral commission over inconsistencies in the releases of its election guidelines. The state interim vice chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Yahaya Bagobiri, also in a statement complained that PDP candidates were unfairly treated, in that they were subjected to a screening process before clearance, while the candidates for APC were not subjected to similar process. He also accused KANSIEC of discrimination against their candidates as they were asked to make individual purchases of forms as against the APC who make bulk purchase. However, Kano State chairman of the APC and former deputy governor to Malam Shekarau, Alhaji Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo, has reacted to Shekarau’s allegation, challenging him to present evidence that Governor Kwankwaso has violated any of the guidelines. The APC chairman berated his former boss, describing him as somebody who speaks on empty grounds. Gwarzo described his party APC as organized party and has respect for the rules of the state electoral commission.