A spokesperson for All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and 2023 Kano Central Senatorial candidate, Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura (AA Zaura), has explained why Zaura and his associates participated in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Kano State under the invitation of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Dahiru Maihuddadu, who serves as Zaura’s media aide, said the decision to honour the governor’s invitation was borne out of respect for the office of the President and the need to give him a befitting welcome—especially after the APC in Kano allegedly failed to formally engage its members from the Zaura camp regarding the visit.
“Our principal, AA Zaura, is a loyal and committed party man. But when the President of the Federal Republic is visiting our state, and there’s no clear invitation from the APC leadership in Kano, we had to respond to the only official invitation that came— that of the Kano State Government led by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf,” Maihuddadu said.
He stressed that the reception of President Tinubu should not have been politicised, noting that the presidency transcends party lines and deserves dignified treatment from all stakeholders regardless of political differences.
“Our action was in the interest of the state and the respect we have for the President. It would be inappropriate to allow politics to overshadow such a significant visit. Since the APC structure in Kano did not invite us, we saw it necessary to answer the governor’s call.”
Maihuddadu also dismissed insinuations that Zaura’s appearance at the government-organized function was a sign of defection or disloyalty to the APC.
“There is no ambiguity about Zaura’s political loyalty. He remains a proud APC member and supporter of President Tinubu. However, we will not stand idle when protocol and decorum demand we act in the interest of Kano and Nigeria as a whole,” he added.
He therefore thank Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the honour which he said would be forever cherished.
“We thank Kano State Governor for the honour, he indeed showed that he is a man of greatness who always considered what is right and at the right time.”
President Tinubu was in Kano to condole with the family of the late elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Dantata. His visit, however, stirred a mild political storm over the visible presence of some APC leaders and the active participation of members aligned with the NNPP-led state government.
