In a dramatic turn of events, the Kaduna State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has plunged into turmoil, suspending Women’s Leader Maryam Suleiman for her outspoken criticism of Governor Uba Sani’s handling of the state’s hefty debt burden inherited from the previous administration.
The suspension notice, issued on March 31, 2024, accused Suleiman of gross misconduct and tarnishing the governor’s reputation, a move that underscores the escalating factional rifts within the party.
Signed by Ali Maishago and Zakkah Bassahuwa, respectively Chairman and Secretary of the Badarawa/Malali ward, the notice cited alleged orchestrations of attacks on political figures aligned with Governor Sani, including an assault on his political adviser, Manzo Maigari, reportedly carried out by thugs.
Invoking Article 21, 2 (v) of the APC Constitution, the party decreed an indefinite suspension pending a thorough investigation into the allegations, further deepening the schism within the Kaduna APC ranks.
Meanwhile, Governor Sani’s spokesperson, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu, dismissed criticisms leveled against the governor by Bashir El-Rufai, son of former governor Nasir El-Rufai, regarding the state’s debt profile and governance approach.
El-Rufai Jr. took to social media to lambast Governor Sani, accusing him of shirking responsibilities and surrounding himself with incompetent aides, igniting a fresh wave of political tensions.
However, when pressed for a response, Shehu maintained the governor’s unwavering focus on addressing Kaduna State’s pressing challenges, brushing aside what he deemed as trivial distractions.
“The task ahead of us is enormous, and we won’t trade that for trivialities,” Shehu affirmed. “His Excellency Senator Uba Sani has categorically stated the true financial status of the state.”
As Kaduna’s political landscape simmers with discontent and factional rivalries, the fallout from these recent developments underscores the deep-seated divisions and power struggles within the state’s political corridors, leaving the future of the APC in Kaduna uncertain.
