The Kano State Chairman of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Usaini Mai-Riga, has rejected alleged moves to hand over the party’s leadership structure in the state to former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Speaking in an interview with Premier Radio Kano on Monday, Mr Mai-Riga alleged that the national leadership of the party was making plans to transfer control of the party structure in Kano to Kwankwaso and his loyalists.
According to him, although discussions are ongoing to integrate Kwankwaso into the party, handing over the leadership structure to new entrants is unacceptable.
He disclosed that two separate meetings convened to address the issue ended without resolution due to disagreements over leadership control.
“He wants us to hand over the entire party to him despite the sacrifices we made when the party had little or no presence,” Mr Mai-Riga said.
Reacting to the alleged takeover move, he insisted that party members in Kano would resist any attempt to hijack the structure.
“This will not happen. We will pursue all lawful avenues to ensure that the party structure is not hijacked,” he added.
Mr Mai-Riga further alleged that the NDC national leadership directed the suspension of the party’s scheduled state congress in Kano to facilitate Kwankwaso’s integration into the party.
“We were instructed not to hold the congress because of plans to hand over the structure. That is why I am not at the venue today. We will not allow the rights of our members to be trampled upon,” he stated.
