The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Katsina State is facing another crisis following the controversial ouster of the state party chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Salisu Majigiri, and the alleged suspension of the gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Yakubu Lado Danmarke.
Daily Trust gathered that Danmarke’s camp in the party mobilised some local government party chairmen and other stakeholders and decided that the state chairmanship of the party should not be left with Yusuf Salisu Majigiri, who is a candidate of the party for a House of Representatives seat.
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It was further alleged that the state party chairman, Majigiri, who was backed by a former Katsina State governor, Ibrahim Shehu Shema, was working against the interest of the governorship candidate.
Party source said the Lado camp, therefore, mobilised for the removal of Majigiri and picked the deputy state chairman (Daura Zone), Alhaji Lawal Danbaci Daura, as acting chairman.
In their reaction, Majigiri’s camp named Alhaji Lawal Uli, as the acting chairman of the party. They also announced the suspension of the gubernatorial candidate.
It’s a normal internal crisis – Majigiri
When contacted, Majigiri described the crisis as normal and expressed optimism that it would be resolved.
“First of all, from my side, the matter of my removal from office as state chairman is not an issue as far as I am concerned because I have already handed over to my deputy as the law provides.
“So, for some people to meet and say they have removed me from office does not arise. Maybe they don’t even know who the chairman is.
“With regards to Lado’s issue, I saw it like any other person and I had no hand in it. It is not something I will respond to. It is solely a party affair,” he said.
When asked about the negative consequences of the crisis, Majigiri said, “The future of our party in Katsina is very bright. This is an internal party issue. PDP has a very good dispute resolution mechanism; it can be easily resolved before the elections.”
On his part, the gubernatorial candidate, Senator Lado Danmarke, said unless there were documents to back up the allegation or an interview granted by the other group, the issues remained mere speculation, which he would not respond to.
“Have you ever seen where a gubernatorial candidate is suspended just like that? Did they give you the document or addressed the press on the matter? Well these are all speculations if you have no evidence to back it up,” he said.
Attempts to hear from Acting Chairman, Lawal Uli, were not successful as he neither picked up calls nor responded to a text message as at the time of filing this report.
