The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has denied any intent to work for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027 at the exclusion of Vice President Kashim Shettima.
This is as he condemned the chaos that occurred in Gombe State over the weekend during an APC stakeholders meeting following the reported exclusion of Vice President Kashim Shettima from a motion endorsing President Bola Tinubu for a second term ticket in 2027.
Speaking on Monday in a statement via his Senior Special Assistant on Public Enlightenment, Oliver Okpala, Ganduje condemned the acts of thuggery displayed by some APC members during their meeting in Gombe.
He said the “disruption and acts of thuggery and brigandage by some members of the party at the zonal meeting of the North East APC is totally condemnable, grievously irresponsible and unpatriotic to the current political dispensation in the county.”
Naija News recalls that the APC event, which was a stakeholders meeting in the North-East, turned rowdy after the party’s National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, failed to mention Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, in his endorsement speech for President Bola Tinubu’s second term.
Following Salihu’s speech, angry delegates hurled insults and threats at him, accusing him of deliberate sabotage and disrespect to the vice-president.
The tension escalated so rapidly that security operatives had to whisk Salihu out of the venue to prevent a physical assault.
In a swift move to quell the crisis, Deputy National Chairman (North), Bukar Dalori, stepped up and formally endorsed both Tinubu and Shettima, drawing cheers from some quarters.
Despite the attempt at damage control, the meeting ended abruptly after Ganduje, while giving his closing remarks, also failed to mention Shettima, reinforcing suspicions of a coordinated slight.
However, Okpala, in his statement on Monday, explained that Tinubu’s endorsement does not exclude Shettima as the two leaders run a joint ticket.
He called on party members to avoid any attempt to cause disruption and misunderstanding, adding that Ganduje is a father to all.
The statement reads, “There is no space for violence in Nigeria’s political space presently therefore party members should resort to the civilized tenet of political decency, decorum and comportment in their political activities in the country.
“It was this kind of unwarranted political crisis in the western region in the first republic that developed into a major national crisis in the county that contributed to the collapse of the first republic.
“The national chairman of APC, is a father to all and since he assumed office he has been working and uniting all members, and showing love to all.
“His closeness and relationship to the President and Vice President is not in doubt, as it is as solid as the rock of Gibraltar.
“Even when Dr. Ganduje tried to diffuse the tension by letting them know that its a joint ticket, these individuals whose actions looked recalcitrant by nature failed to see reason to agree with his genuine submission.
“He had emphasized that the North East produced Nigeria’s number two citizen, and that the APC values the zone. That the President and Vice President are a single ticket under the constitution, yet they refused to listen.
“What kind of politicians are these individuals seeking violence with lack of tact to resolving whatever grievances they may have”?
The Attack
Speaking further, Okpala submitted that the attempt to attack Ganduje during the event on Sunday was totally unwarranted and an assault on the entire APC leadership.
He emphasized that the former Kano State Governor remains committed to promoting peace and unity within the party and called on party members to embrace peace as well.
He said, “Political leaders should advise their followers and supporters to always show restraint and play by the rules. Politics is not about violence, it is dialogue, lobbying and consultations. No matter what people feel, they should control their tempers.
“This attempt by these individuals to physically attack the National Chairman was an unruly act which must not be allowed to be swept under the carpet.
“As everyone could see, the National Chairman was going to his car and they accosted him just to attack him. Thanks to the Nigerian police personnel and other security operatives who acted promptly, preventing them from physically attacking the National Chairman and stopping the situation from degenerating into total anarchy and chaos.
“This was not just an assault on Dr Ganduje but to the entire APC national leadership which he leads.
“How do you treat a man who has laboured round the clock for peace like this?
The post Shettima: Ganduje Reacts To Attack On Him During APC Event, Speaks On Endorsing Only Tinubu For Re-election appeared first on Naija News.