PRP to replace Kano gov’ship candidate today

The Kano State chapter of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) is to announce the replacement of its gubernatorial candidate today.

The current state Chairman of the party, Alhaji Sammani Shariff, had earlier emerged gubernatorial candidate of the party, but that the party would replace him with another person.


Our reporter gathered that eight people are jostling for the slot. They are a former Kano State Dep. Gov., Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, Mal. Salihu Sagir Takai, Gen. Sulaiman Wali (Rtd), Alh. Kabiru Muhammad Gwangwazo, Sheikh Ibrahim Khaleel, Alh. Aminu Baba Nabegu and Sen. Isa Yahaya Zarewa.

PRP which has its roots since the Second Republic is a household name in Kano and enjoys a lot of sympathy in neighbouring Katsina, Kaduna, Jigawa and other northern states.


Analysts believe that if it gets its acts very well, the party may spring surprises, especially in Kano, considering the crises and deep resentments raging in APC and PDP in the state.

The party was created by Mal. Aminu Kano and his supporters after their withdrawal from the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). The PRP was highly regarded as a progressive left wing political party. Some well-known members of the party include late Abubakar Rimi, Balarabe Musa, late Sabo Bakin Zuwo, Dr. Edward Ikem Okeke, late Bala Usman, Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila, Sule Lamido, among others.

A source within the party in Kano confided in Daily Trust yesterday that the party’s executives and top stakeholders were holding a critical meeting with a view to picking the new candidate.

It would be recalled that Prof. Hafiz Abubakar and Mal. Takai joined the PRP shortly after the PDP recognised Sen. Kwankwaso’s anointed candidate, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf, as its gubernatorial candidate.

Speaking to Daily Trust, Sen. Zarewa, one of the shakers and movers in the party, said they would announce the name of the person that would replace Shariff.

Sen. Zarewa said, “You know the issue of primary election is over, but the party has the right to replace its candidate. I can tell you that PRP will soon announce its new gubernatorial candidate for Kano State.

“We have worked tirelessly to woo politicians into the party and we have succeeded and we will follow the laid down guidelines to replace the candidate. We will resolve this issue amicably among all the politicians that have interest for the seat,” he assured.