2019: Ashiru Unsettles el-Rufai’s Comeback Bid

BY AMOS TAUNA

There are indications that a wave of anxieties has gripped the Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai-led government, following the official return of Hon. Ahmed Isa Ashiru to the People Democratic Party (PDP). Accompanied by a massive crowd, he had picked his party card in Kudan town in Kudan local government area of Kaduna state.
Ashiru, who is the latest member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Kaduna state to have returned to the PDP under which he had his political tutelage where he served as two-time member of the House of Representatives where he served as the Chairman of the House Appropriation Committee.

In 2014, Ashiru had gunned for the gubernatorial ticket of the Kaduna PDP, but was denied the opportunity to contest. He then defected to the APC which was in hot opposition to the ruling PDP. He again battled to be its gubernatorial flag bearer, but his ambition was dashed when General Muhammadu Buhari, at a rally in Kaduna, endorsed el-Rufai. By that singular act by Buhari, other contenders’ ambitions were scuttled. Ashiru stayed in the party and deployed his wide network of contacts and a solid mobilisation structure to ensure victory for the APC.

“Even when he was in the APC, Ashiru was still servicing the running of the PDP. He kept his friends intact. His political machine was always oiled and all his team was taken care of in both parties. I have never seen a politician like this,” disclosed Alhaji Yaro Makama, a former Kaduna State PDP Chairman who also defected to APC but had to beat an early retreat to the PDP in April 2018.

The sojourn of Ashiru in the APC, according to Ashiru himself, was “a school where my eyes were opened to so many things that an outsider would never have seen. I know that I did not belong to that kind of politics. My state has suffered terribly and it is time I returned to the party that we founded, so that we can take back power and save Kaduna state from irreversible damages.”

The return of Ashiru marks a critical entry into the fray that could threaten the prospects of el-Rufai’s comeback bid. Considering the solid base of opposition the governor has created for his re-election ambition, the three senators from Kaduna state (Sen. Danjuma La’ah (PDP), Kaduna South; Shehu Sani (APC) Kaduna Central and Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi (APC), Kaduna North, are totally opposed to el-Rufai’s re-election ambition.

In unity of purpose, the three senators worked against el-Rufai’s bid to secure a controversial $350 World Bank loan. Their action had attracted the angst of the governor who publicly launched a verbal assault on them, and appealed to Kaduna citizens to shave the beards of Hunkuyi and also reduce the afro hair style Sani. el-Rufai, a political orphan had ridden on the political wings of Ashiru, Hunkuyi and Sani who are considered seasoned politicians of repute.
On assumption of power, el-Rufai had consolidated power and he shoved aside most of the members of the Sani and Ashiru camps, favouring his trusted friends, former aides when he served as FCT Minister. He also decreed that there were no indigenes in Kaduna state. The APC in the state became embroiled in leadership crisis and soon, a splinter group loyal to Hunkuyi emerged, called the APC Akida. Another faction appeared by the name Restoration Group, headed by Tijjani Ramalan, a top gun of the party and owner of Liberty FM and TV stations in Kaduna.

As the drumbeats of 2019 sound louder, there are indications that the two factions are poised to joined the PDP. The return of Ashiru to the PDP to contest for its governorship ticket is just another addition to the list. Alhaji Ramalan Yero, who was ousted by el-Rufai in 2014, is warming for a comeback. Dr. Isa Bello, one-time Kaduna State Commissioner of Science and Technology, may soon throw his hat in the ring. Barrister Adamu Kish, who is also a former Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of Kaduna state, has shown interest for the seat.

Alhaji Sani Sidi, who is a former Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has also declared his interest to run for governor. In the days ahead, new entrants to the race may increase. However, pundits believe that the man who really drives fear into the dream of  el-Rufai to come back in 2019 is Hon. Ashiru. Born 56 years ago, Ashiru, who holds a Master of Business Administration, is connected at the top, as he is also a reputed grassroots politician.

He believes that his connection to the ordinary people are will prove decisive and give him victory over el-Rufai whose waning popularity among the people is indisputable. He denied being an errand boy former Governor Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar Atiku.
According to him, “I have excellent relationship with my former Governor, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi; and Atiku was a business partner of my uncle and I have known him for decades, but I am man not under the control of anyone, but Almighty Allah.”

Ashiru, who is from the northern part of the state, says he is well received in scores communities in Southern Kaduna with ease, adding. “I have travelled several times to almost every town, village and hamlet of note in Kaduna state by my virtue of being the Chairman of Appropriation Committee of Kaduna State House of Assembly between 1999 and 2007. I had visited these places to inspect projects as part of my oversight functions several times and I was able to establish relationship that still lasts.”
At every political meetings convened by Ashiru, some of the politic heavyweights in the state attend or send their representation. They include some former and serving Senators, Reps, Kaduna State House of Assembly members, though some want their loyalty and support not made public yet.

There are also former Ministers, Ambassadors, retired and serving top ranking civil servants, both in the state and at the Federal level. Retired military and security personnel, deep pocket businessmen are also always in attendance. Leadership of youth groups and women and party officials attend too among other interest groups and persons.

“If the PDP is to conduct a free and fair primary elections, which I am sure it will, I can’t see anyone that can beat Ashiru,” says Hon. Godfrey Gaya, who is the former member of the House of Representatives for Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency.

“His temperament, his connection to the people and the fact that he is straightforward person of proven integrity has endeared him to the party. “We know that the APC will field el-Rufai as their candidate. I don’t think we have no reason to start our victory party if Ashiru should be the one to contest with el-Rufai in 2019,” he added.

Indeed, the political landscape of Kaduna state is quaking with the entrance of Ashiru into the race. Since no one can tame the force of nature, the Ashiru camp is set to cause a political earthquake for el-Rufai whose government has failed to realise the dream of ‘Making Kaduna Great Again’.