Atiku welcomes Shekarau to PDP Sunday

Preparations are on top gear for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, to receive former Kano State Governor and senator representing Kano Central, Ibrahim Shekarau, to the main opposition party ahead of the 2023 general election.

Kano State PDP Chairman, Shehu Sagagi, confirmed that Atiku will be in Kano on Sunday evening to welcome the former Minister of Education to the party.

Sagagi, who was at Shekarau’s residence on Saturday,  said Shekarau has agreed to join the PDP.

“Alhamdulillah, finally, we now have a leader in Kano and I am delighted. Shekarau, being the highest political office holder as provided by the constitution, we have accepted and welcomed him back to our dear party, the PDP.

“We have accepted to follow him and we shall succeed, God willing.

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“All arrangements are in top gear in preparation of receiving Atiku Abubakar who will be in Kano on Sunday hopefully to receive Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau,” he said.

This will put an end to speculations and exchange of fiery remarks between Shekarau’s associates and Rabiu Kwankwaso’s loyalists in the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) who have recently accused each other of reneging on prior agreements that culminated in joining forces between the two former governors in the party.

The Star learnt that Atiku’s visit on Sunday would set the tone for a series of events that would precede Shekarau’s eventual public defection to PDP on Monday.

It was gathered that, however, Shekarau would lose his Kano central senatorial ticket which he is contesting in the NNPP.

It was also learnt that certain promises were made to the former governor and his associates if Atiku wins the 2023 presidential election.

Sources in the Shekarau’s camp said he had earlier turned down advances by Atiku but later found common ground, adding that the former governor would campaign for the PDP presidential candidate in the North-West.

With the latest development, the former governor may help the PDP to regain itself in Kano following an internal crisis rocking the party in Kano State.

The party still has parallel candidates in key positions in the state leading to ongoing litigation between Sadiq Wali and Mohammed Abacha.

The Star