Abdullahi Ganduje, the former governor of Kano State and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has shed light on the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of Maryam Shetty’s nomination as a ministerial candidate.
According to the Premium Times, he said that President Bola Tinubu was misled into nominating Shetty and did not consult him before the nomination.
He revealed in a recorded radio interview that the president only contacted him after the public backlash over some of Shetty’s social media posts. Ganduje stated that he had little knowledge about Shetty and did not question why the president nominated her without consulting him.
The former governor also clarified that he was not responsible for Shetty’s replacement. He defended his silence on the matter, stating that he refrained from challenging her selection because he lacked knowledge of her capabilities.
He explained that problems arose when Shetty’s social media posts became the subject of criticism and raised doubts about her suitability for the position. This prompted the president to reach out to him for clarification.
He confirmed that he was not involved in the nomination process and stated that the president had the power to select nominees without his input.
Following their conversation, the President tasked him with finding a replacement for Shetty, emphasizing that the candidate should also be a female from Kano.
He proposed Mariya Mahmud Bunkure, a medical doctor who had previously served as the Commissioner for Higher Education in his administration. He highlighted the importance of addressing the cries of marginalization from Kano South and believed that Bunkure would be an appropriate choice.
He stressed that his intention was not to undermine Shetty or tarnish her image but rather to provide an explanation for the change.
He categorically stated that he was not among those who questioned her abilities, citing his lack of familiarity with her background. He assured Shetty that her contributions to the APC would be recognized and that she would be treated with respect.
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