The race for the 2023 Presidency, especially the battle for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is getting interesting by the day.
For Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his political godfather, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the rat race for Kano’s support is on the rise.
Why Kano? For a ruling party, Kano has the highest number of votes for party’s presidential primaries. So, also in the main election: Kano has the highest number of actual voting population.
This explains why Osinbajo and Tinubu are trying to outdo each other in Kano.
On Saturday, January 15, supporters of the Vice President kickstarted his 2023 presidential campaign in Kano.
Less than 24 hours after, Tinubu on Sunday visited the ancient city.
While Osinbajo’s supporters launched the Vice President’s bid for the Presidency, Tinubu came on the guise of condolence visits.
Tinubu, who was received by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje at the Mallam Aminu Kano Airport, proceeded to late Sheik Ahmad Ibrahim Bamba home around BUK old site to condole with his families.
READ ALSO: Tinubu visits Kano, Katsina hours after Osinbajo kickstarted campaign
Similarly, the National Leader of the APC visited the residence of 1993 presidential candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC), the late Alhaji Bashir Tofa at Gandun Albasa.
At the residence of the late National President of Council of Sharia, Dr. Ibrahim Datti Ahmad, the APC leader offered prayers for the reposed of the soul of the departed medical doctor.
Large crowd of supporters received Tinubu at the Kano airport. The huge crowd followed him to the residences where he paid condolence visits.
Tinubu paid the condolence visits on Sunday.
And on Tuesday, VP Osinbajo was in Kano as Special Guest of Honour at the 8th Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation Memorial Lecture.
Osinbajo did not just attend the Memorial Lecture, he also embarked on condolence visits like Tinubu.
The Vice President paid condolence visits to the families of the late Bashir Tofa, renowned Islamic scholar, late Sheikh Ahmad Bamba of BUK and community leader, the late Alhaji Hassan Naif.
Speaking during a condolence visit to Tofa’s family, the Vice President described the late politician as “a very unique Nigerian who was a bridge builder, made friends, and built relationships across the country, and made serious contributions in discourse about the country and about national development.”
At the Tudun Yola Quarters Mosque where the renowned Islamic scholar, late Sheikh Ahmad Bamba, resided, the VP praised the late Sheik’s teachings, noting that his teachings were “of peace, brotherliness, fairness and justice.” He described him as one of the best Sunni scholars in the world.
Condoling with the family of the late community leader, Alhaji Hassan Naif, the Vice President urged the family members to preserve the good deeds of their father.
While in Kano, the Vice President, like Tinubu, received a rousing reception and cheers from the people of the state at several points on the road and at every street stop.
For Osinbajo and Tinubu, Kano is a battleground. They have made visits to Kano. Which city or state is next?
The rivalry among the political associates continues.
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