2019 Presidential election: Jigawa Governor refuted support for Kwankwaso

Kwankwaso

The Governor of Jigawa State, Muhammadu Badaru, has refuted speculations that he is supporting former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, for president in 2019.

Premium Times reports that the speculations ensued over the inauguration of a presidential campaign office for Mr. Kwankwaso in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital last week.

However, Mr. Badru reacting to the speculations through his spokesperson, Bello Zaki, said it the speculations that he had dumped President Muhammadu Buhari to back the ambition of Mr. Kwankwaso was “baseless and unfounded”.

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According to Mr. Zaki, the inauguration of the presidential campaign office of Mr. Kwankwaso was like any other political activity in the state that the state government has no power to stop.

It was gathered that the inauguration was coordinated by a loyalist of Mr. Badaru who is also the Managing Director of the state owned Jigawa Television (JTV), Ishaq Hadejia.
Premium Times reports that, at the event, Mr. Hadejia was assigned by the Kwankwasiya Movement, to lead in spreading the ideology and campaign of Mr. Kwankwaso across the 27 local government areas of the state.

The movement said its mission was to sensitise residents of Jigawa on the need to embrace Mr. Kwankwaso to ensure that the north completes a presidential term.
Mr. Kwankwaso, who is a serving senator, was the runner-up in the All Progressives Congress presidential primary that nominated Mr. Buhari in 2014.

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But Mr. Zaki insisted that the presence of Mr. Hadejia at the opening of the campaign office in Jigawa has nothing to do with Governor Badaru.

“Anybody in this cabinet of ours is not restricted to what only Governor Badaru wants. He is entitled to his right of loyalty and support'” he said of Mr. Hadejia.
“We are not aware of Kwankwaso presidential campaign and the inauguration of his office. We are not a party to it” he said.