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Kaduna Governor Yero Stops Southern Kaduna Chiefs from Meeting VP-Elect Osinbajo

Kure said "The programme was to first meet traditional rulers before church leaders, and we had notified them and they were ready to receive our in-coming Vice President. The meeting was to pay homage and intimate them of what the in-coming Muhammadu Buhari's government has in stock for Nigerians irrespective religion, ethnicity, region or political interests.

Nervous Kaduna State governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, on Tuesday morning pre-empted a meeting in the State between Southern Kaduna top traditional rulers and in-coming Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

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The Director General of Kaduna State All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council, Mr. Ben Kure, disclosed this in a press statement.

Osinbanjo was in Kafanchan to meet critical stakeholders in the area including traditional rulers, Christian leaders, academic, youth and women leaders ahead of Saturday's governorship election.

For the gathering, the over 20 traditional rulers drawn from eight local government areas were on their way to the palace of the Chief of Kagoro, the venue of the meeting, when they received the governor's instruction.

Some of the invited chiefs had already arrived in the vicinity when they received signals warning them against meeting with the Vice-President-elect.

Kure said "The programme was to first meet traditional rulers before church leaders, and we had notified them and they were ready to receive our in-coming Vice President. The meeting was to pay homage and intimate them of what the in-coming Muhammadu Buhari's government has in stock for Nigerians irrespective religion, ethnicity, region or political interests.

He said they were surprised to receive a message that the governor had stopped the meeting and cautioned the invitees to return to their domains. The monarchs complied with the warning.

Kure recalled that Governor Yero had three weeks ago also stopped the then presidential candidate of the APC from holding a campaign at Murtala Square in Kaduna, the state capital, adding that he has now tried to embarrass the incoming Vice President. "Are the people of Kaduna state and their traditional rulers slaves of the governor?” he asked.  ‘It is quite unfortunate that Kaduna State is now under an individual who is above the law and ruling with impunity. "He should know that the people of Kaduna State are free people with the right of free association and choice. He will not force people to vote for him, it is a democracy and the voice of the people must be heard. "

On Saturday, Governor Yero faces a big battle for the gubernatorial office at the polls against former Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nasir el-Rufai.