Governor of Kano State Abdullahi Ganduje has voiced his displeasure over a recent meeting between President-elect Bola Tinubu and former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
According to POLITICS NIGERIA, the governor lamented the injustice of Tinubu inviting Kwankwaso to a meeting in Paris in a leaked audio clip that was independently confirmed to be the voices of Ganduje and former APC vice presidential candidate Ibrahim Masari.
The recording was leaked following a recent meeting between Tinubu and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential candidate for the general elections of 2023 as part of Tinubu’s strategy to create a “unity government.
Tinubu expressed his wish to collaborate with Kwankwaso throughout the meeting and offered his cooperation.
According to information provided to this newspaper, additional talks would be made to seal the agreement, and the future president would offer Kwankwaso a post in the cabinet.
The released audio clip, however, shows Ganduje complaining to Masari about Tinubu inviting Kwankwaso without consulting him.
At the beginning of the conversation, Mr. Ganduje observed, “There is noise all over Kano [about the Paris meeting].
Masari, a trusted Tinubu supporter, also spoke to Ganduje on the audio, encouraging him to maintain his composure till he visits Tinubu on Thursday.
“I told you about it, but you asked me to dismiss it,” Mr. Masari responded.
Could there have been anything I could have done to stop him, even if it were true as you implied? Nothing,” said Mr. Ganduje.
Mr. Masari said, “You should have at least challenged him to verify for yourself.
Ganduje expressed his worry in the tape about the repercussions of Tinubu considering Kwankwaso as a replacement due to their defeat in the election.
He laments Tinubu’s failure to invite them to the meeting and expresses his annoyance at what he sees as an unfair situation. Ganduje emphasizes that power ultimately belongs to God and worries that Tinubu’s acts would cause people to lose faith in him.
There is no issue if he [Tinubu] now views Kwankwaso as an alternative to us because we lost the election, Mr. Ganduje added in an emotional tone.
Masari understands Ganduje’s worries and reassures him that there are security dangers involved in discussing the meeting over the phone.
“I feel the pain you are experiencing. Even your rival understands that he treated you unfairly, but please keep your composure till you are in Abuja, Mr. Masari comforted Mr. Ganduje.
Even if it was just a symbolic meeting, he ought to have at least invited us. And because of him, we even lost Kano, the governor mourned. Furthermore, Tinubu was unable to comprehend that God is the true owner of authority. And these calculations are horribly incorrect,”
I complained of the situation to Mr. President earlier in our conversation. According to him (Tinubu), SLS (Sanusi Lamido Sanusi) set up the meeting through [Gilbert] Chagoury, a Franco-Lebanese business tycoon and Tinubu buddy. And when I questioned if you were notified before to the meeting.
Tinubu responded negatively. Since you are aware that phone calls are not secure, I will sufficiently brief you when we meet. Just maintain being mature by remaining silent, Mr. Masari advised.
The meeting may have been a part of a plot to derail the APC governorship case at the election petition tribunal, according to a security report that Ganduje claims to have obtained. Masari acknowledges that Tinubu lacks the authority to affect the electoral matter, nevertheless.
“Yes, that game plan exists, but it is outside of his jurisdiction. Your Excellency, however, Please maintain your composure till you change your mind. Let’s not have a phone conversation about this. You are aware of the potential danger in our discussion.
Every time you visit, we will hold our customary meeting and give him our resolutions, Mr. Masari continued.
Abba Anwar, the governor’s spokesman, was approached for comment regarding the audio clip and asked for some time to call back; however, neither he kept his word nor did he return calls, according to Daily Nigerian.
