Vice President Namadi Sambo has denied having a hand in any plot to declare a state of emergency in Kaduna, his home state.
Vice President Namadi Sambo has denied having a hand in any plot to declare a state of emergency in Kaduna, his home state.
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In a statement today, vice-presidential spokesperson Umar Sani dismissed Mr. Sambo’s purported pursuit of a presidential ambition, towards which, and in order to get at Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State ostensibly for his supposed closeness with former Governor Ahmed Mohamed Makarfi, was pushing for the imposition of a state of emergency rule in the State.
“We find the story not only malicious in contents but an orchestrated attempt to disparage the good relationship that exists between the trio. It should be noted that they not only enjoy good and cordial fraternal relationship but excellent working one as well. They pay each other periodic visits and take time to travel to events together. Only recently, the Vice President commiserated with the Governor over the fire incident that engulfed his official residence in Kaduna.
“Also, on the invitation of the Vice President, the Governor and Makarfi were with him in Benin-City during the gubernatorial campaign of Charles Edigie Airhiavbere at the Ogbemudia Stadium. They flew together in the Vice President aircraft. At no time was there any meeting involving Kaduna State in which the Vice President discussed the supposed Emergency Rule. These stories are mere cheap lies fabricated to cause disaffection between and among the trio and we urge members of the public to discountenance such falsehood.”
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A credible source in the presidency also confirmed that President Jonathan enjoys a cordial relationship with both Senator Makarfi and Governor Yakowa, recognizing that they have more [to offer] in Kaduna politics than Mr. Sambo, who lost all elections in his Kaduna local ward last year.
The source said, “Makarfi has base in his Northern Kaduna and part of Kaduna Central, Yakowa also has Southern Kaduna and parts of Kaduna Central, but the VP has no clear political base in Kaduna. And so Jonathan relies more on them than the VP. This I know.”
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