The governors of Jigawa, Kebbi, and Kaduna states, Alhaji Sule Lamido, Sa?idu Dakingari and Ramalan Yero, education minister, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and other chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were absent at the North West rally organised by the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) in Kano State.
Even though most of them gave reasons for their inability to attend the rally yesterday, their absence took the shine off the highly-publicised event. Only one governor was present ? Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State.
Governor Yero?s absence, according to his spokesperson, was because he had to travel to the United States of America (USA). He said, ?The governor, before the date of the North West rally was fixed, had accepted to present a paper at the Nigeria Young Professional?s programme, which held today and could not disappoint them.?
Maiyaki said that the governor was, however, ably represented at the Kano rally by his deputy, Ambassador Nuhu Audu Bajoga, who led a high-powered delegation from the state.
In the case of Kebbi State, neither Governor Saidu Dakingari nor his deputy, Alh Ibrahim Aliyu were present. When contacted, the chief press secretary to the governor, Abubakar Muazu Dakingari explained that Dakingari was absent because he travelled, with his deputy, to Saudi Arabia for the holy pilgrimage, but sent the secretary to the state government to represent him.
Sule Yau, the media aide of former Kano State governor and minister of education Ibrahim Shekarau, said the minister could not make it to the rally because he was part of the delegation to this year?s United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The rally, which took place at the Kano Polo Ground off Independence Road, had a heavy security presence, as all the roads leading to the emir?s palace and Independence Road were barricaded.
Katsina State governor, Ibrahim Shehu Shema said at the rally that his state has been a PDP state from 1999 and that he hoped it would remain with the PDP.
He noted that the people of Katsina State have no country other than Nigeria and that together, they would work for the unity, oneness and progress of Nigeria.
Also, the minister of foreign affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali gave the assurance that PDP was a party for the majority of the good people of Kano, while former political adviser to President Jonathan on political affairs and PDP gubernatorial aspirant, Dr Akilu Sani Indabawa, and the secretary to the government of the federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, called on Nigerians to rally round president Goodluck Jonathan.
