It has become necessary to make certain clarifications on my decision to opt out of the recent gubernatorial primaries of Kaduna state.
I came into this contest on self-conviction after the positive outcome of a robust and statewide consultation with individuals’ and groups resulting in self-sponsorship of my aspiration. I firmly believed, with all sense of modesty, that I have what it takes to effect a comprehensive socio-economic intervention in Kaduna state, but the unsavory antics of a few against my aspiration influenced my withdrawal from the race.
Having bought my nomination form, screened and was certified fit to stand for the primary election, i commenced intensive campaign across the state. That was when the procedural irregularities and blatant disregard for our party’s laid-down processes of electing a gubernatorial flag bearer, that I noticed earlier, began mushrooming into more concrete facts.
It started with the delegate forms that were deliberately denied all other gubernatorial aspirants, except Governor Ramalan Yero. We raised alarm by writing a protest letter to both the state PDP office and our National Headquarters on such underhand tactics and political subterfuge, meant to favour only the aspiration of Governor Yero, but nobody paid any attention to us.
We also contested the composition of the delegates list by saying that political appointees who are not supposed to be in the list have been included. Despite a formal letter of complaint, we were ignored.
I also drew the attention of our party officials to the fact that the list of delegates used for the state assembly primaries was not the same one used for the House of Representatives Primaries, still no party officials acknowledge our complains.
I also came upon staunch opposition from the leadership of our party in the state and Vice President Namadi Sambo, who were insisting to us aspirants that it has been the policy of the party to allow an incumbent governor to always re-contest unopposed. This he said, was the same treatment meted out to the president for the 2015 general elections.
I kept battling all these deliberately installed obstacles until I finally realized that the smooth process of freely electing a gubernatorial candidate in Kaduna state has been fully compromised.
That and the fact that some elders in the state, realizing the hopelessness of swimming against such instituted subversion of the procedure for bringing out a gubernatorial candidate, also lend their voices to the fact that I should step aside from the contest and give peace a chance.
Cumulatively, these and other salient and unresolved issues have left me with no option than to honourably step out of the race. I stepped out through a letter that was widely reported in the media and told my delegates to vote whoever they want. Let me add that I withdrew from the contest unconditionally, without any financial inducement from any one, or based on any other agreement other than my disenchantment with the whole process.
My gratitude and appreciation goes to all my supporters across and beyond the state. I remain grateful to you all because you made it possible for my aspiration to hatched into a meaningful form that would take years from now without dimming.
Yours sincerely,
Alhaji Lawal Samaila Yakawada
