KANO PDP CRISIS: MINISTER EXONERATES SELF

By NBF News

Minister of National Planning, Alhaji Shamsudeen Usman, has exonerated himself from the lingering crises rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State.

The minister, who was rumoured to be leading a faction in the fragmented PDP in the state, also denied leading any faction of the party in Kano, pointing out that the party could not afford any crisis at this crucial moment of its political life.

Fielding questions from newsmen in Minna, Niger State capital, he said: 'I am not leading any faction. I want to bring it to the notice of everybody that what I am doing is to bring members of the so called two factions together.'

Usman, who was in Minna to declare open a two-day retreat for directors of planning, research and statistics, expressed optimism that his efforts at reconciling the warring groups in the party would soon pay off.

According to him, with the popularity of the PDP among the people of the State, 'we stand a good chance of capturing the State. PDP is very popular among the people; we stand a good chance of capturing the state if we come together and work as one.'

He disclosed that the PDP in Kano State was solidly behind the aspiration of President Goodluck Jonathan, assuring that delegates from the State would vote for the president at the presidential primary and by extension the general election.

'It is the ambition of this government to achieve a free and fair election where the people's votes will count, where no godfather will impose anybody on the country,' he said.