There was stampede on Saturday amongst delegates in Kaduna at the venue of Northwest zonal congresses of the main opposition political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the process was disrupted midway over the interference in the process by Sokoto State governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal
The situation might not be unconnected to the silent scheming and maneuvering ongoing between the supporters of a former Kano State Governor, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and those of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State.
The two are said to be jostling for the soul of the party ahead of the forthcoming general election schedule for 2023. The north west zonal vice chairman was zoned to Kano while youth leader to Sokoto.
Kwankwaso and Tambuwal are said to be interested in the nation’s top seat, the Presidency and are currently locked in a battle of wits in their respective quests to pick the party’s presidential ticket.
Saturday’s zonal congresses provided an avenue for the two to take effective control of the zone, which is reputed to be the largest amongst the six zones making up the country.
Northwest has the highest number of delegates and that sets the tone for the war of attrition between the two gladiators and the venue of the congresses provided an opportunity to test their might and popularity.
While the Tambuwal led faction is throwing its support for a former member of the upper legislative chamber, Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, Kwankwaso is supporting the bid of Hon Yusuf Jamu.
Since 1999 the party has been rotating zonal positions among the states, and the existing tradition and practice was for the leader of the party in the state to produce a candidate for the zonal leaders for affirmation, This age long practice was breached by Sokoto state governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal by directly interfering into Kano process of producing a candidate to fill the position. An action that was faulted by Kwankwassiya supporters and many leaders from the zone.
Delegates from all the seven states making up the zone had converged at the venue to elect the zonal executive committee members in an atmosphere that was initially friendly and delegates were expecting that the old tradition of affirmation to be adopted by the leaders upon the submission of candidate from the leader of the state.
Trouble however began when supporters of Tambuwal led by a retired diplomat, Ambassador Aminu Wali insisted that there must an election for the two aspirants a position rejected by Kwankwassiya supporters.
And at this point, Kwankwassiya supports demanded that Gov. Tambuwal should withdraw his sponsored candidate from the race and allow Kano to handle their affairs to pave way for affirmation.
It was at this moment that thugs loyal to Gov Tambuwal invaded the venue and disrupt the process" A delegate from Katsina said.
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