From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
The senatorial candidate for Kano South under the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Abdulrahman Suleiman Kawu Sumaila, on Saturday, boasted that he will defeat Senator Ibrahim Kabiru Gaya of the All Progressive Congress (APC), despite the party’s power of incumbency in Kano and at the Federal level.
Kabiru Gaya is re-contesting to represent Kano South at the Senate for the fourth time under the platform of APC, but Kawu Sumaila said the people of Kano South are clamouring for a better representation, citing the crowd that graced his campaign at Sumaila recently.
Kawu, who is the founder, Al-Istiqama University located in Sumaila town, Kano represented Takai/Sumaila Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2012.
He was among politicians who left APC to join NNPP, shortly after party primaries in Kano because of what he described as lack of internal democracy.
According to Kawu, “I was a founding member of APC, but I left APC because the party derailed… I joined the party that gave everybody equal opportunity (NNPP) “
The former Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters spoke during a Media Dialogue organized by NUJ Kano Correspondents’ Chapel, held at Grand Central Hotel, Kano.
According to him, “in Kano, the power of incumbency is inconsequential… As far as Kawu Sumaila is concerned, as far as our gubernatorial candidate, Abba Yusuf is concerned, as far as our Grand Commander and presidential candidate, Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso is concerned, Kabiru Gaya and other APC candidates are inconsequential.
“They can not defeat us in Kano. In Kano South, people are tired of them. Can’t you see what happened when I launched my campaign, can’t you see the crowd…”
Kawu Sumaila, however, said if elected as a Senator, his political philosophy will be pegged on the principles of Social Justice.
“My take on legislative agenda is to have Social Justice. I will ensure Social Justice in three areas—-education, health and water resources.
“I will make sure there is Social Justice in the distribution of wealth. Here in Kano, I Will make sure there is a powerful Consultative Forum headed by me that will project our interest and ensure we get our fair share of democratic dividends from the federal level.”
He regretted that the mounting insecurity and agitation in the South East and some parts of the North are as a result of lack of Social Justice in the system, assuring that his agenda as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is to ensure that there is Social Justice for the benefit of all irrespective of tribe, ethnicity and religion.
