By Correspondent in Abuja.
A youth group, Concerned Citizens of Kano State, has purchased the PDP Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the embattled Chairman of Kano State Anti-corruption Commission, Mr Muhyi Rimingado, to contest the 2023 state governorship election.
The Convener of the group, Malam Nafiu Danlami,who presented the forms to Rimingado in Abuja on Thursday, urged Rimingado to formally declare his interest in the race.
Danlami said that youths from across all the local government areas of the state voluntarily contributed N1,000 each for the purchase of the forms, because they believed in Rimingado’s integrity and capacity to lead Kano state.
He said that in furtherance to the purchase of the forms, the youths had commenced mobilisation of support to ensure that Rimingado emerged victorious.
“Hundreds of Kano youths and women have mobilised themselves to Abuja to purchase these forms, both for Expression of Interest and Nomination, for governorship election for our icon and beacon of hope, because we believe solely in his integrity.
“We believe he is the kind of aspirant that Kano State needs to champion its affairs. We all know the problems that are bedeviling Nigeria, particularly our constituency, which is Kano State.
“The youths and women particularly have mobilised themselves and are ready for the election of Rimingado.
“Initially, we called out on the number of youths that are in support of this aspiration to come out and contribute N1,000 each so that we can have larger number of youths, such that we can have large percentage of the youths participating in this very form purchase.
“We actually have reasonable amount,although not up to the wide range we were expecting, but believe you me, we mobilised, as you can see both here and outside, hundreds of youths that were fortunate to come down here.
“A lot are actually waiting for us back in Kano in jubilation and anticipation that we actually go back to Kano and give them the report of this encouraging development,” the youth leader said.
Accepting the forms and declaring his intention to run, Rimingado commended the people for counting him worthy of their decision of contributing money to sponsor his election.
Rimingado, who shared what led to his removal from office, attributed his suspension to a case of corruption fighting back and efforts to stop him from contesting the state governorship election in 2023.
The former chairman of the anti-graft agency stated that since he was suspended in July 2021, he had faced serious intimidation, harassment, blackmail and threats to life in Kano.
“On 9th Dec. 2021, I was to deliver lecture to a group of more than 3,000 youths, unfortunately,Police was sent to lock down the place and to even detain the owner of the event centre that allowed us to have the event.
“And Dec. 9 was International Day for Anti-corrutption all over the world, but we were not allowed to celebrate on flimsy excuses.
“Just last week, precisely three days ago, my house was under siege in Kano, apparently to prevent this declaration happening, to prevent us from declaring to contest the election,”he said.
He said that while the circumstances that led to his removal earlier affected his opinion regarding public office, the yearning of people and the purchase of N21 million forms for him had emboldened him to face the course and win the election.
“When I left the office, people started yearning because it is not my intention, it is the intention of the people that I should come up to contest.
“So, it is a decision of the people that we join the opposition party, PDP, because you know, Kano is a politically enlightened state from the time of Malam Aminu Kano of blessed memory.
“PDP was once in empower in Kano and this is not the first time when PDP will come to power in Kano.
“Again, I believe is not all about the party or platform per se, it is all about the individual that is contesting the election.
“We have the support base, we have what it takes; the capacity and the backing of the people.
“Just like what I said, if people can contribute among themselves to purchase a form for you, there is an adage which says majority carries the vote.
“So, it is a majority of the people and decision of people that we join PDP and I can assure you, that by the special grace of God, PDP is a party to beat in this election, and I know Kano is in to surprise many.
“Many people like you say are of the opinion that APC is the dominant factor, but if you look at what happened in 2019 general elections, you know without inconclusive election, I don’t think PDP would lose that election. So PDP is a party to beat,” he added.
Rimingado promised that if given the opportunity to serve, he would restore the lost glory of the state, while giving priority to reviving the state dam projects to serve the Kano people better, to generate more employment opportunities.
The former local government vice chairman also pledged to tackle the issue of corruption, boost the state commercial activities, saying Kano had been second to Lagos but now “we are lagging behind because of gross corruption of people in power”.
Besides, the aspirant promised to give priority to development of education and local government system, which he said contributed immensely to the development of any state or nation.
“What they are saying now is there is free and compulsory education, but that is my policy statement.
“We will come up with so many initiatives that will make education not only quantitative but also qualitative.
“Then the issue of local government system, Kano till lately, had a functional and strong local government system, unfortunately, because of selfish interests, the situation has changed,” he noted.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
