El-Rufai’s Ex-Ally Pledges 11 LGAs to APC

Former Kaduna State Chief of Staff and political associate of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Alhaji Bashir Sai’du, has pledged to mobilise support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the 11 local government areas of the Zazzau Emirate ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Sai’du, a former Commissioner for Finance, made the commitment after receiving the Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs, Hon. Isa Lawal, at his residence.

The former government official recently left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and joined the APC alongside a large number of his supporters.

During the visit, Sai’du reaffirmed his loyalty to the ruling party and said his political strength would become clear during the elections. He also rejected claims that his departure from the ADC was an individual decision, saying thousands of his supporters had moved with him.

He said the electoral outcome in Zaria Local Government would differ from previous results, expressing confidence that the APC would record a stronger performance in the area.

Sai’du further claimed that about 3,091 ADC members from Lere Local Government who share his political views were preparing to join the APC. He added that some other local government areas had groups of about 4,000 supporters who were also aligned with his political movement.

Speaking in Hausa, the former Chief of Staff said he intended to demonstrate his political influence across all 11 local governments within the Zazzau Emirate.

He also said his political network extended beyond Zaria, claiming that he had a strong presence in Igabi and Kaduna South local government areas.

According to him, his supporters included people with whom he had built a trusted political relationship rather than merely ordinary political associates. He said about 10,000 supporters had already joined him in the APC.

Sai’du said meetings had been held with his supporters to develop strategies for the forthcoming elections. He maintained that his group was prepared to work independently where necessary while remaining open to cooperation with the Kaduna State Government.

He said the state government could choose to develop its own campaign plans or coordinate with his political structure, adding that both sides could work separately and eventually meet at the polls.

The former commissioner said the coming elections would provide an opportunity for him and his supporters to demonstrate their organisational strength and influence across the Zazzau Emirate.