Jonathan Receives Shekarau To PDP, points out key development programmes in Kano State *says his administration has embarked on mass poverty alleviation in the state through agricultural programmes Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan, has officially received the former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, alongside over 10,000 people who joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He also accused the Kano State governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, of deliberately denying Kano delegates their mobilisation fund and refreshments given by his campaign headquarters in 2011. The President berated the Kano State Governor for sponsoring jingles on private radio stations in Kano State calling him devil, pointing out that from key achievements recorded by the Federal Government in Kano State, it was clear that the description befits the governor. Accordding to Jonatthan: “Somebody has been campaigning that some who wears the bowler hat is a devil. I am here to tell you several good thing we have done in Kano. Kwankwaso did not vote for me in the primaries or main election. We know a lot, but we say little. Kwankwaso, when it was clear at the primary that i will win, Kwankwaso left Eagle square. If he had voted for me, he would have remained to celebrate with me. Even the money for refreshment, Kwankwaso refused to give to the delegates. Even the money for the main election, Kwankwaso refused to extend same to the people “If you look at the LGAs and they are not working, know that somebody is spending the money, that is why nothing is on ground. If you have two uncles, one is spending the little on you and the other is taking away your money, who is the devil? “Between 2011 to now, Kano LGAs have received over N245billion, Kano people should ask them what they have done with the money. Where are the projects “In agriculture, let me tell you what we have done in Kano. The FG has taken Kano as a major focus in Kano. In the last two 716,000 received subsidized fertilizer in Kano, the highest in the country to farm rice and cassava. 76,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer and 58,000 improved seeds were provided to Kano farmers, free of charge. I launched the dry season farm support programme. 100,000 farmers in Kano State benefitted from the programme. 66,000 farmers in Kano State got free farm support from the Federal Govt. What we have done has provided a net income of N21billion to the farmers” At the ceremony organised by the PDP on Tuesday to receive new members that defected from other political parties, President Jonathan promised to work hand in hand with the former governor in bringing back Kano State to his party. Minister of Information, Labaran Maku who spoke in Hausa at the peace rally regretted that Kwankwaso who was roundly defeated by Shekarau in 2003 and given a second chance by the PDP would turn around to start a selfish campaign because of his ambition. He outlined all the projects of the Jonathan administration in Kano State since 2011, saying that the state stands as one of the most critical beneficiaries of the transformation agenda. Mr Shekarau was also a presidential candidate in 2011 presidential election. At the airport, where he was received by the former governor, President Jonathan expressed his satisfaction with the turnout of party supporters who came out in large numbers to welcome him. On his part, Shekarau pledged his commitment to working under the ideology of the PDP. “As long as I remain in active politics, I will continue to work under the ideology of my party, the PDP. The celebration, however, took another turn when President Jonathan accused the Kano State governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, of diverting mobilisation and refreshments funds belonging to Kano delegates during 2011 presidential primaries. President Jonathan’s comment was triggered by a newspaper report that quoted Kwankwaso as saying that he voted for President Jonathan during the said primaries. President Jonathan denied the claims published in a newspaper showed to him by the PDP national chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, with the caption “Kwankwaso regrets voting for Jonathan”.
Posted on: Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:29:03 +0000
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