Crisis rocks Kano PDP, as chairman dispels suspension rumour

PDP

• Lawyers’ Group Urges Caution
Kano State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rabiu Dansharu, has dismissed his purported suspension, describing it as the action of reactionary elements bent on destroying the party.

Dansharu, who condemned the move while briefing journalists at the Press Centre, Kano, maintained that the action was orchestrated to terminate the party at the state level.

It would be recalled that a day before, some party members organised themselves and deliberated on their grievances against the leadership style of Dansharu, accusing him of hobnobbing with the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the state.

During the factional meeting, spokesperson of the party, Musa Danbirni, declared that what they did was to save the party from collapse, assuring that with the new party chairman, they would forge ahead effectively.

But while denouncing the declaration of Ibrahim K.T. as acting chairman during the factional meeting, Dansharu said: "I did not receive any written complaint against me or a letter notifying me of my purported suspension, which they did illegally. It should be clear to all that the constitution of the party was not followed during the kangaroo meeting."

The chairman maintained that the party’s constitution guides all activities, regretting: "Unfortunately, our constitution was not followed at all. Their action did not follow due process. Rules must be followed in issues like this."

Dansharu further contended that being the PDP state chairman, he was also a member of the national executive council, "and therefore, nobody from the state can take any disciplinary action against me, if I did something wrong.

"You can go and check Chapter 10, sub-section 7 of the PDP constitution, under disciplinary procedure, nobody can discipline any national executive member at all levels. Such power lays in the hands of the national exco, simple!"

Meanwhile, the national coordinator of Lawyers for Sustainable Democracy, Barrister Muhammad Zubair, said the purported suspension would not augur well for the opposition party in the state.

Zubair said the action was condemnable and was designed to cause confusion in the party, stressing, "People should not allow themselves to be used by some elements who do not mean well for the party."