A few hours into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries, the Presidency and the national leadership of the party are said to be in a dilemma over the governorship ambition of Alhaji Mohammed Abacha, son of late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

Investigations by Sunday Tribune showed that the report of a secret team sent to Kano State by the national leadership of the party and some strategists in the Presidency indicated that Abacha’s candidacy is widely preferred as a counter to the Kwankwasiya machinery of the incumbent governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The report had identified that the PDP could only make a headway in the state governorship elections if it presented a candidate with qualities similar to those possessed by the Kwankwasiya group.

The governor’s group is said to have enormous financial muscle, fanatical following and political tendencies allegedly close to militancy. The report also added that a candidate with entrenched following would be easily backed up by the PDP to battle Governor Kwankwaso, who has endorsed his deputy as his successor.

Checks revealed that the Presidency clearly sees that the criteria favours only Mohammed Abacha, who is seen as the political head of the Abacha family. It was learnt that many retired Generals and officials who served under the late Head of State are well rooted in Kano and are clamouring for Mohammed.

It was, however, learnt that the Minister of Education and former governor of the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarahu, does not believe in the candidature of Mohammed, believing that his antecedents would create an image problem for the PDP if he is fielded for the February election.

Shekarau had subsequently encouraged his former ally and a former governorship candidate of the ANPP, Alhaji Usman Takai, to join the governorship race. Takai had since entered the race.

The minister is reported to be opposed to the adoption of the report by both the Presidency and the party leadership.

Some elements within the presidency however hold that the minister’s alternative candidate may be financially and structurally weak to confront the kwakwasiya. This view was also reportedly shared by some old members of the PDP whom Shekarau met within the PDP.

It was however learnt that the Presidency is not willing to offend the Education Minister even as it is well disposed to the report which has provided a roadmap for PDP in the state.

As of the time of filling this report, it was reliably gathered that the situation has degenerated into a face-off between loyalists of Shekarau and Mohammed Abacha.

•From Sunday Tribune. Photo shows Mohammed Abacha.

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