BEVERLY HILLS, October 03, (THEWILL) – Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna state says President Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed his bid to seek re-election in 2019 together with his deputy, Barnabas Bala Bandex.
He disclosed that after a stakeholders’ forum of the All Progressive Congress, APC, endorsed him and the president on September 16, he went and briefed the President, and got his approval.
El-Rufai, who spoke in a radio live interview on Sunday to mark the 57th independence anniversary of the country, stated that with the presidential endorsement, he would definitely seek a second term.
According to him, ”It was after I have finished briefing him that he (President) gave me the nod to seek re-election together with my deputy.
“However, he was quick to add that this did not mean any person interested could not come out, saying, you know the constitution of our party allowed for primaries to elect a standard-bearer.
”It equally allows for a consensus candidate if the majority of the party members agreed on a consensus candidate.”
The governor however expressed readiness to face any aspirant in a free contest in order to clinch the party’s governorship ticket once again.
He attributed the seemingly division in Kaduna APC to the handiwork of some disgruntled elements who believe they could only strive if there were crises.
”Very soon, we are going to invite every stakeholder to a meeting and allow any body who feels he or she is short changed to express his grievances. We are democrats and we are ready to adjust if we erred,” El-Rufai said.
