By Our Correspondent
The Gawuna Campaign Coordinating Team has dismissed reports that some prominent members of the political structure of former Kano State governorship candidate, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, have defected from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and are preparing to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement signed by the Director-General and Chairman of the Gawuna Campaign Coordinating Team, Dist. Sen. Saleh Adamu Kwaru, the team said the individuals being referred to as the “Gawuna Team” had ceased to be part of the official political structure of Dr Gawuna since June.
According to the statement, the individuals left following disagreements over what it described as personal demands which Dr Gawuna declined on the grounds of principle and integrity.
The team further alleged that the individuals subsequently initiated contacts with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) without the knowledge or approval of Dr Gawuna.
It alleged that the group attempted to persuade Dr Gawuna to accept the ADC governorship ticket, with assurances of financial support for his campaign and other political concessions.
The statement said that after the initiative failed, some members of the group began exploring the possibility of returning to the APC.
“While three members of their circle chose to remain within the NDC structure, the rest continued their search for an alternative political platform that would accommodate their personal interests,” the statement said.
The campaign team maintained that the development would not affect Dr Gawuna’s political structure or preparations for the 2027 general elections.
It said the campaign structures, operational strategies and internal systems of the movement had been established independently of the individuals in question.
The team also dismissed concerns that the movement could be weakened by the departure of the group or that sensitive political information could be used against it.
According to the statement, the Gawuna political family has continued to attract prominent politicians, community leaders and grassroots mobilisers across the 44 local government areas of Kano State.
“These continuous additions have more than effectively addressed any perceived vacuum left by the exiting group and have further strengthened our preparations for 2027,” it said.
The team urged members of the public, political stakeholders and the media to disregard claims linking the individuals involved in the recent political movement with Dr Gawuna or the official NDC structure.
It reaffirmed its commitment to its political programme and said its focus remained on providing purposeful leadership and promoting development in Kano State.
