The highest decision making body of Senator Ibrahim Shekarau’s political structure, the Shura Consultative Assembly has rejected overtures from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the two time Kano State governor to defect to the party.
At a meeting held on Sunday, August 14, 2022 at Shekarau’s Mundubawa residence, in Kano, that lasted over five hours to consider the issue among other things trashed out, the idea of leaving the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) despite the party Presidential flag-bearer, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso allegedly not fulfilling agreement he had with Malam Ibrahim Shekarau before defecting to the party recently, a very reliable source said on Tuesday.
“You know Malam Shekarau hardly take any political decision without consulting the Shura Council,” the Source informed.
Daily Nigerian had reported planned move to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party barring any last minute change by Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.
The paper gathered that a 21-member committee will meet on Tuesday (today) at 4pm to finalise the defection arrangements and ways to manage public criticisms that may trail Mr Shekarau’s unexpected political detour.
A source familiar with the meeting said as part of the exit plans, the presidential candidate of PDP Atiku Abubakar will come to Mr Shekarau’s Mundubawa residence to “woo” him before the formal announcement.
“The truth is that Atiku has made some mouth-watering offers such as ministerial and parastatal slots to Mallam. This is in addition to appointing him as the North West campaign coordinator and in charge of campaign finances in the region,” the source said.
However, confirming the discussion with the PDP Presidential Flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar, a close associate of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau said that the major opposition party and others have been in discussion with Malam Shekarau to leave the NNPP.
‘’You see I have to be very honest with you the top echelon of the PDP at the national level have been pestering Malam to dump the NNPP and pitch tent with the PDP considering his personality and the strong followers he controls so as for the Wazirin Adamawa led party to win the 2023 general elections,’’ the source said.
“You will be surprise that the pressure for Malam Shekarau, the Senator representing Kano Central at the National Assembly to join PDP are even coming from many former Nigeria presidents”
Shekarau is reportedly set to meet Bola Tinubu, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Wednesday.
