2019: Wild Jubilation As Ashiru Picks PDP Membership Card
BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – Former governorship aspirant on the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s platform in 2015, Ahmed Isa Ashiru, has picked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) membership card in search of Kaduna State gubernatorial ticket come 2019.
Ashiru, former House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Appropriation, was escorted by a huge crowd with vehicular and human traffic streaming to the Kudan Town Hall where the card was eventually handed to him.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Ashiru, who dumped the APC early this month, said; “I am happy to be back home. I am happy to return to the home of my father – the PDP. I am happy that I sojourned for some times in the APC. Given the little time that I stayed in that party, I learnt so much. It is a good thing that I was able to see what the APC is all about.
“We heard that aspirants have been coming here and they have been going round asking for your support. I want to say that is very Ok. In fact, we want more to come. But, one thing I am sure is that I have started this race, and I know where I am going to end with you all. We will all be at Kaduna State Government House in 2019, God with us.”
With his supporters and well-wishers cheering happily, the governorship aspirant said; “I am very grateful to see you come out in such large numbers from nooks and crannies of Kudan and beyond. I wanted small and manageable event with just party officials and a few members of my campaign secretariat. But, look at you all coming out in such large numbers even without flagging off my campaign.”
Presenting the aspirant to the excited crowd, former Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea and Director General, Ashiru Campaign Organisation, Sule Buba, said; “I want to present to you a man who is prepared to return Kaduna state to its proper place; I want to present to you the man who will right wrongs of the past years as he picks his new PDP card for that task in 2019.”
Former Kaduna State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Yaro Makama, who had in 2014 left the PDP for APC, said that Ashiru was the only APC member who left the PDP but still supported the PDP financially and also kept his friendship with members of the party.
“I am very sure of where Ashiru is headed for. This is the place to be. The People of Kudan, you have made us proud. Your son has returned home. And you have thronged out even without notifying you,” he said.
The Kaduna PDP Zone 1 Chairman, Alhaji Tsoho Kargi, who represented Kaduna State PDP Chairman, Mr Felix Hyet, presented the Party card to Ashiru, assuring that the Party would reclaim the governorship of Kaduna state in 2019.
He said; “I am very proud to give out our party card to Hon. Isa Ashiru, the Sarkin Bai. His coming back to the PDP is not only a blessing to the PDP but a blessing to the entire Kaduna state. His return has assured me that the PDP will produce the governor of Kaduna state in 2019. I call on everyone who is still trapped in the other party to return to freedom, to justice and development”.
In a chat with journalists, Ashiru said, “I am really moved by the great number of people that came out for this event.
“Honestly, we did not send out any invitation. But I am not surprised, because I have built a lot of goodwill over the years by the number of works I have done for the people of Kaduna state.
“I have no doubt that goodwill spreads across the state. What I want to say is that I want everybody to get his voter’s card. There is no way we can chase the present government out if we don’t have our voters’ cards. The fact that the present government will be gone in 2019, is not contestable. We need our voters’ cards”, he said.
Dignitaries at the event included first Kaduna State PDP chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Yaro; Kaduna Zone 2 Chairman PDP and two time Commissioner, Shehu Giant; several former Kaduna House of Assembly (KDHA) members, including former KDHA Speaker, Hon Mohammed Yaro Farakwai; former Reps members, Kaduna state Commissioners, businessman, Technocrats and retired military top brass.
