2019: Kwankwaso reconciles with Shekarau, moves against APC

- Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso has begun his consultations ahead of the 2019 presidential election

- The revered Kano-born politician is in the race for the presidency under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

- He recently visited his erstwhile political rival, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, to mend fences ahead of the 2019 race

Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso at the weekend in Abuja, met his erstwhile political rival, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, as he continues his consultations ahead of 2019.

This Day reports that the meeting, which was the first since Kwankwaso’s defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP recently, was to bury their differences and form a formidable team that would mobilise the electorates in the state against President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje ahead of the 2019 general elections.

According to sources quoted in the report, the brief meeting took place at Shekarau’s Asokoro residence in Abuja on Saturday, July 28.

An excited Shekarau was heard telling his visitor “no hard feelings, and I don’t bear any grudge,” at the end of the meeting.

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In reply, Kwankwaso also said he did not bear malice against him, promising his commitment and collaboration towards the success of the party.

Following Kwankwaso’s defection to the PDP last week, the senator has been extending olive branch to politicians in the PDP towards realigning the party structure at the state level.

PDP leaders at the national level had reportedly favoured Kwankwaso to have 51 stake in the party structure, having joined the party alongside nine members of the House of Representatives.

“The party leaders know the political weight of the senator. Aside his being a serving senator, he currently has a serving deputy governor, nine serving members of the House of Representatives and six serving members of the state House of Assembly in his political kitty.

“Essentially, he is the most powerful force in the state today. This is what the party at the national level considered to cede the control to him,” said a source.

Meanwhile, the speaker of the Kano House of Assembly, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, said Kwankwaso's defection isn't a surprise.

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Abdulahi said Kwankwaso was only a symbol in the APC and his exit wasn't unexpected, adding that his decision was long overdue.

However, he added that the senator's edit won't affect the party's chances of winning the 2019 general elections.

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Source: Legit.ng