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Shekarau, Book Burning Ex-Kano Gov. Joins 2019 Presidential Race

Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, a former governor of Kano State has joined the ranks of aspirants seeking to contest for the presidency on the platform of Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general election.

Shekarau, announced his interest in a letter to Daily Trust newspaper, the newspaper reported on Monday.

The former minister of education, who in 2007,  as the governor of Kano publicly burned Hausa romance novels and materials he described as pornographic and immoral to the customs and traditions of Northern Nigeria,  said his decision to seek for PDP’s presidential ticket was informed by clarion calls from Nigerians and after wide consultations.

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“As you may be aware, for quite some time now, since, after the 2015 general elections, there have been various calls made by individuals and groups from many quarters, nationwide, urging my humble candidature for the contest of the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the next general elections, due in 2019.

“I strongly believe that the people are doing so out of their conviction of contentment and satisfaction based upon the modest successes recorded while I served as the Governor of Kano State (2003 to 2011), and also as a Minister of Education (July 2014 - May 2015).

“In response to these calls, and in view of the seeming intricacies and the boundless complexities involved in such a national assignment, I have consulted across the geopolitical zones and different interest groups, who examined and appraised the issue and advised me accordingly.

“I am pleased to say, based on these wide consultations, that I am better informed and convinced that participating in the democratic process of serving humanity goes beyond party affiliations/boundaries, and also beyond just winning an election.

“I have therefore decided to accept the clarion calls, and will in due course and in accordance with the guidelines of my party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), offer my humble self for the contest of the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during the forthcoming 2019 general elections,” Shekarau said in the letter.

Aside from the public razing of Hausa romance novels and materials, Shekarau also banned actors and subjected Hausa authors to what human rights campaigners described as a "heavy-handed" censorship board in what was believed to be aimed at pandering to religious extremists in the ancient town for support.  

Writers in Kano State had to go to court and Shekarau was forced to settle out of court and slow down on his censorship, his local enforcers in Hisba or the Sharia police made up religious militants had a field day moralizing for writers, authors and those they describe as 'immoral'.

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