Shettima's Political Associates Under Pressure, May Join PDP
The immediate past Commissioner for Religious Affairs in Borno state, and a close political associate of governor Kashim Shettima, Alhaji Usman Mamman Durkwa has been under serious pressure by the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to quit the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC and join hands with the PDP to ensure victory in the next year's general elections.
Durkwa a political household name in Southern Borno Senatorial District has served as Commissioner in various Ministries during the eight years tenure of former governor Ali Modu Sheriff who defected from the APC to PDP last Sunday along with three House of Representatives members, some Commissioners and thousands of their supporters.
Sheriff was quoted to have said after his defection in Maiduguri that, "PDP in Borno is a moving train and nobody can stop it with bare hands, we must reach our destination despite all odds, we have to rescue Borno from collapse through responsible leadership”.
Our source said that the leaders of the PDP in the likes of Senator Modu Sheriff has had series of meetings with Durkwa in Maiduguri last week aimed urging him to join PDP, stressing that the PDP leadership has promised Durkwa to be given a sensitive position if he shifts his loyalty.
It was however gathered that, Durkwa after the meeting asked the PDP leaders to give him time to consult with his his supporters from the nine Local Government Areas of Southern Borno before taking a decision.
Investigations reveal that Durkwa who has held series of meetings with his supporters at his residence in Maiduguri and reached the decision to opt out of APC and align with the PDP in the state.
Attempts to confim from Durkwa on phones was not successful but his close political godson and Caretaker Chairman of Hawul Local Government Area, Dr. Andrew Usman Malgwi in his reaction said, "Durkwa is a man of principle and he has never change his political party. He is a respected APC stalwart not only in southern Borno, but the state at large, and he is very loyal to governor Kashim Shettima. So anybody who is saying that Durkwa is planning to join PDP, is doing it as a political gimmick".