By Ayo Fadimu
A faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended a former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, for his alleged involvement in the disruption of the party’s recent North-west zonal congress in Kaduna State.
The PDP in Kano is factionalised with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leading a faction, while the other group is led by a former Foreign Affairs Minister, Aminu Wali.
The Wali-led state executive committee of the party said it took the decision to suspend Kwankwaso for three months at its meeting held on April 15.
It would be recalled that the Party’s zonal congress, two Saturdays ago was disrupted by violent party members.
The event ended abruptly after the supporters of the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, clashed with those of Kwankwaso.
The rival supporters destroyed the ballot boxes before voting in the election of party officials could start, forcing observers and other officials to flee the scene.
The main subject of the dispute was the position of zonal National Vice Chair, where factions led by Kwankwaso and Wali, presented different candidates.
The letter, dated April 16, 2021, signed by the party’s secretary in the state, H.A Tsanyawa, who is in Wali’s faction said Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has been suspended on three counts of “leading his supporters into a shameful and embarrassing act of thuggery of disrupting the democratic process during the PDP Northwest Zonal Convention of April, 10th, 2021.
“That you are also charged with abusing our two serving governors and major Northwest stakeholders present during the convention.
“That your supporters have destroyed the election materials, on your directives, and in your presence.”
“That you are also charged with abusing our two serving governors and major Northwest stakeholders present during the convention.
“That your supporters have destroyed the election materials, on your directives, and in your presence.”
It said the Executive Council meeting held on Thursday, April 15, 2021, unanimously resolved to suspend Kwankwaso and his supporters for three months, in accordance, with the provisions of Section 58(1) of the PDP constitution.
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is requested to reply to the query within 48 hours and state why the provisions of Section 59(1) (2) (3) and (4) would not be applied against him.
Tsanyawa said the party “received numerous complaints from members of the party over the incident of North-West convention where you (Kwankwaso) allegedly led your supporters into a shameful and embarrassing act of thuggery by disrupting democratic process during PDP north west convention of 10th April, 2021.
Shehu Sagagi, the state chairperson of the party who is loyal to Kwankwaso’s faction, did not respond to calls seeking his position on the suspension letter.