SHEHU Sani, senator representing Kaduna Central in the Senate and Suleiman Hunkuyi, his counterpart representing Kaduna North, have both dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Both Sani and Hunkuyi who are members of the Akida faction of the APC in Kaduna State, and Kaduna Restoration group announced their exit from the party on Friday, July 13,  over what they called political marginalisation and abuse by handlers in the state.

The two senators left the party with other prominent members of the group, who include Ramalan Tijjani, chairman, Liberty Radio and Television; Jafaaru Abbas, a lawyer, Maitamaki Tom-Meyashi, among others.

Addressing a joint press conference in Kaduna on Friday, Tom-Maiyashi, chairman, APC-Akida, who was supported by Abass, legal adviser, Kaduna Restoration group, the groups said their decision to exit the ruling party came after due consultations thereby has no regret.

Though they declined revealing the party they would be moving to, but there were strong indications that, they might form another political party using either of the groups’ names which have already gained some recognition in the state.

“We are not going to look for any name or borrow any name. We will do our analysis and take decisions and we are going to inform the public. But one thing is certain, we are not orphans.” Maiyashi said.

Reading the press text Maiyashi said: “this joint press conference is the culmination of extensive reviews and consultations over the state of the All Progressives, Congress, APC, in Kaduna State as well as in the nation.

“As you will appreciate, groups such as our that had been in the frontline of the efforts to keep our party along the lines of survive, accountability and integrity will be diligent in ensuring that whatever steps we take are consistent with our high sense of responsibility.

“We are satisfied that the positions we have arrived at are in the best interests of our members and the ongoing efforts to create options and strategies that will rid our nation of undeserved and avoidable challenges.

“Members of our two groups have decided to leave the APC because it is incapable of accommodating and responding to well-meaning dissent, criticism and demands for inclusiveness and internal democracy. It has not lived up to the expectations of the millions of people who laboured to put in power, as well as Nigerian who expected that it will usher in genuine change. We are hereby advising all our teeming members to formalize their withdrawal from the APC.

“We are engaged in serious discussions with parties which share our value and principles toward political collaboration that best suits our interests. In due course, we will make public the outcome of these discussions.

“We want to commend the resilience and commitment of our members in the face of institutionalized exclusion, marginalization and abuse. We urge them all to keep faith,” he maintained.

– Jul. 13, 2018 @ 17:19 GMT |