Kano and Kaduna states are most populated states in the North, aside being the first and third most populated states in Nigeria. The PDP used to control all states in the North-West zone except Zamfara State but it lost Kano and Sokoto recently when governors Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko left the party for All Progressive Congress (APC).
SaharaReporters has gathered that President Goodluck Jonathan is jittery as all strategic advances made showed his party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has lost ground in Kaduna and Kano states despite heavy political investment made in Kano; including the appointment of two full-fledged ministers.
A credible source in the Presidency told SaharaReporters in Abuja of the development, and that Jonathan and his cabinet are seriously working for a suitable remedy and not leaving anything to chance.
His vice-president, Namadi Sambo, who is from Kaduna State, has not been able to save the party from dwindling, the source added.
President Jonathan, the source further said, is championing the emergence of a popular gubernatorial candidate to contain Malam Nasir El-Rufai, favored to fly All Progressive Congress (APC) flag in the governorship election.
Kano and Kaduna states are most populated states in the North, aside being the first and third most populated states in Nigeria. The PDP used to control all states in the North-West zone except Zamfara State but it lost Kano and Sokoto recently when governors Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko left the party for All Progressive Congress (APC).
The source said the Presidency is working to consolidate Kaduna and reclaim Kano in view of their significance in their 2015 mappings, though the governor of Kaduna State, Mukhtar Yero, is said to have failed to provide leadership and lacks mobilization prowess to manage threats by APC. The APC has captured Kaduna North and Central zones and is now encroaching on Kaduna South zones, gaining ground as a result of revolt against the governor.
The Kaduna governor is accused of taking for granted chances of the party and insensitivity to issues that later affected PDP fortunes in the state.
Vice President Sambo, according to the Presidency source, seems to be confident of redeeming the tide, but Jonathan and his close associates see the situation differently.
The situation report from Kano, the source explained, is also not favorable as both camps of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, former governor of the state and now Minister of Education, and that of Alhaji Aminu Wali, the Minister of Foreign Affairs have failed to match political weight of Kwankwaso in the state.
The source, who refused to speak further, said are similar fears in Taraba State as public opinion shows the PDP will lose if it fields the present Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar UTC, who is facing stiff opposition in the PDP in Taraba.