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By Mustapha Usman
Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has ordered the contractor handling renovation works at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata to immediately demobilize and pave way for the presidential campaign rally of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Mr Ganduje, on Monday ordered the immediate closure of the two major stadia in the state, barely six days to the proposed presidential campaign rally of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The decision had generated national uproar, prompting a reaction from the national body of PDP.
Apparently, Mr Ganduje has succumbed to pressure by ordering for the reopening of venue, for Mr Atiku to stage his rally which is scheduled to take place on February 10.
The governor, in a statement on Wednesday, signed by the commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Muhammad Garba, however, indicated that the directive does not affect ongoing overhaul of the Indoor Sports Complex.
The statement added that the contractor had been directed to remove all machinery from the precinct of the stadium till after the campaign rally.
The state-owned football club, Kano Pillars, had also been advised to use the Sabon Gari Township stadium for its training sessions.
“The general renovation of the stadium aimed at giving the stadium a face-lift included the installation of the new scoreboard, the running track and provision of sources for steady water supply to all parts of the stadium,” the statement reads in part.
“Recall that prior to this development, the PDP had slated February 2 for the rally, which informed government decision to mobilize the contractor only for the party to fix another date for the campaign rally when the contractor had already moved to the site.
‘’As a Democrat who believes in freedom of association, His Excellency the governor did not order the closure of the stadium to frustrate the campaign rally of the PDP. The stadium only closed for the intended renovation works,’’ the statement added.
“While wishing the PDP a successful outing, the statement urged the leadership of the party to ensure orderliness during the event in order to avert the destruction of facilities at the stadium,” Mr Garba was quoted as saying in the statement.
