By Rabiu Sanusi
A frontline governorship aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress in Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Khalil, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the party, declaring that he and his supporters remain firmly rooted in the ADC despite ongoing political realignments across the country.
Khalil made the declaration during a grand dinner organised in his honour by loyal supporters and members of the Association of ADC Aspirants in Kano State under the leadership of Hon. Haruna Yahaya Kadana.
The event was organised to welcome him back from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following the successful completion of an Umrah pilgrimage less than two weeks ago.
Addressing party loyalists and political associates at the gathering, Khalil assured supporters that there was no plan whatsoever to defect from the ADC, insisting that the party remained the most credible platform for political transformation in Kano State.
“We are still in the ADC and we are not leaving this party for anybody. We will remain steadfast until we achieve our desired political goals,” he declared.
The governorship hopeful stressed that political success could only be achieved through patience, perseverance, honesty and sacrifice, urging party members to remain united and committed to the struggle ahead.
“Victory does not come without patience and endurance. We also need prayers and sincerity in this journey. We must demonstrate commitment through action and loyalty to the cause,” Khalil stated.
He further called on supporters across the state not to lose hope despite the challenges facing opposition parties in the country, maintaining that the ADC remained determined to provide an alternative leadership direction capable of addressing the socio-economic and political challenges confronting Kano State.
In his remarks, Kano State Chairman of the ADC, Hon. Musa Shuaibu Ungoggo, disclosed that the party had already endorsed Balarabe Rufa’i and Hajiya Naja’atu to oversee the affairs of the party in Kano State pending the resolution of internal legal matters currently before the court.
Ungoggo also accused the current administration at the federal level of attempting to impose a one-party system on Nigeria’s democratic structure, warning that opposition parties must remain vigilant to safeguard democracy.
“We will never support any attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. Once the court matter affecting our party is resolved, In Sha Allah, ADC will emerge victorious in the coming elections,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Kano State Association of ADC Aspirants, Hon. Haruna Yahaya Kadana, expressed confidence that the growing support being enjoyed by Malam Ibrahim Khalil, particularly among Christian communities in Kano State, would significantly reshape the political landscape ahead of the next general elections.
Kadana appealed to residents of Kano State to rally behind Khalil and other credible candidates under the ADC platform in order to “rescue the state from its present challenges.”
He also urged all aspirants contesting under the party, from governorship to senatorial, House of Representatives and State Assembly positions, to embrace unity and support the most capable candidates for the collective interest of the party.
“Some of us know those who are more qualified than ourselves. There is nothing wrong with stepping aside and supporting competent candidates for the success of this movement,” Kadana stated.
According to him, unity, mutual understanding and sacrifice among party stakeholders would serve as the foundation for building a formidable political structure capable of offering the people of Kano a new direction.
Political observers at the gathering noted that the event further demonstrated increasing efforts by opposition figures within the ADC to consolidate their support base ahead of future electoral contests in Kano State.