Politics

Kano business, Islamic leaders, others endorse Tinubu

Some groups in Kano State have endorsed the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, for the 2023 presidency.

The groups, which endorsed the presidential aspiration of Tinubu in Kano last weekend after the APC presidential candidate visited the state on a campaign tour, were the Northern Business Leaders, Kano Academic Community, Tijjaniyyah, Ahlus Sunnah, Kadirriyyah Movement, Kano League of Imams, Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Zone A, and the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state.

This was disclosed via a statement issued and made available to The Star on Wednesday by Tinubu’s media aide, Tunde Rahman.

Endorsing Tinubu at the dinner with the Business Leaders and Captains of Industry, the Chairman, Kano Business Community Council, Rabiu Bako, said the APC presidential flag-bearer stood out among the presidential contenders because of his deep understanding of the economy, private sector background, and track record as Lagos governor.

He said the two-term former governor of Lagos State was better placed to rebuild the economy and place it on a pedestal for steady growth.

While also endorsing the APC presidential candidate, Sheikh Bashir Bareebah, who spoke on behalf of the Tijjaniyyah sect, urged Tinubu to prioritise security and safety of the people, increase megawatts of electricity to power the economy, reposition agriculture, and give due attention to education.

He also sought the inclusion of Tijjaniyyah members in top government appointments and assistance in the building of Tijjaniyyah university under construction in Kano.

In its declaration of support for the APC candidate, the Nigeria Academic Community Forum in Kano, in a communique signed by its Chairman, Prof. Shehu Musa, and General Secretary, Sani Mohammed, and presented to Tinubu, said the forum was moved to back him because of his concern for the “down-trodden, transparency, accountability, integrity, and selflessness”.

“Some of the fundamental considerations for our endorsement of your candidature also included your past records of achievements in service at state and national levels,” the forum added.

Responding to the various groups, Tinubu thanked them for the endorsements, saying he had noted their words of encouragement and demands.

He, however, promised to do all in his capacity to justify the confidence reposed in him and move the country to greater heights.

The APC presidential candidate, who arrived in the state on Saturday and left on Monday, was accompanied by the party’s National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu; his running mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima; and the Director-General of the party’s presidential campaign council and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong.

Others were Governors Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos).

The Star