The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Kano state, Rabiu Sulaiman Bichi, has reportedly left his party, PDP for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was also gathered that hundred of Kwankwaso members also followed Bichi to dump the party for ruling APC.
A close source to Bichi hinted that the move to dump the PDP was taken before the judgement of the Supreme Court, affirming Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, victory as Governor, The Nation reports.
“The decision of Rabiu Sulaiman Bichi had no link whatsoever to the outcome of the Supreme Court judgement.
“It was purely based on principles and his personal conviction,” said a close political associate who craved for anonymity.
Giving clearification on why Bichi was leaving PDP, the source stated: “In the affairs of Kwankwasiyya, Rabiu Bichi has been lately rendered irrelevant, ostracised and sidelined from the decision-making of the Kwankwasiyya movement. Despite his commitment to the cause, and perceived as a saboteur.”
His departure will further deplete the Kwankwasiyya group with the exit of former deputy governor Hafiz Abubakar; former managing director of NPA, Aminu Dabo and many others before the 2019 general elections due to the alleged highhandedness of the leader of the movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Kwankwaso was accused of singlehandedly picking and imposing his in-law Abba Kabiru Yusuf as the gubernatorial candidate of the party without consultations with stakeholders in the movement.
Meanwhile, the PDP Secretary in Kano, Shehu Sagagi told our newsmen that though Bichi has indicated interest to decamp from the party in a private forum, he has not officially informed the party about the move.
As at press time efforts to reach Rabiu Sulaiman Bichi or any of his political associates on phone for confirmation proved abortive.
However, there are indications that the PDP chairman will be address reporters on Wednesday to announce his defection, barring any last minute change.