Bomba Dauda
The People Democratic Party (PDP) Kaduna State Chapter expressed disapproval over the refusal of the Minister of Sport, Raji to approve the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna to host the party’s Presidential candidate, Alh. Atiku Abubakar rally ahead of 2023.
In a press statement signed by the Chairman of the party, Hon. Hassan Hyat, it observed that, the presidential candidate of our party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Alh. Atiku Abubakar, was billed to hold his presidential rally in Kaduna State tomorrow, Monday 17th October, 2022 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.
Regrettably, the APC-led federal government through the Minister of Sports denied our party the opportunity to use the facility despite applying for it more than seven days to the date of the rally.
It is instructive to note that we received the correspondence withholding approval only yesterday, 15th October, 2022 citing renovation work on the facility as an excuse. However, a physical tour of the stadium has revealed that there’s no renovation work ongoing either on the main bowl of the stadium or its adjoining structures. This is even as the same facility was used for the 2022 Eid-el-Moulud prayers just last Monday.
Surprisingly, today Sunday 16th October, 2022, we received another correspondence intimating us of approval by the Honourable Minister, less than 24 hours to the commencement of the rally and after the Kaduna State Government had approved Ranchers’ Bees Stadium as an alternative venue for us. Without any doubt, there was simply no initial intention to grant us approval to use the facility by the Minister and thus the late approval was done deliberately as pretence.
We are concerned by this apparent abuse of power by the APC-led federal government which, to say the least, constitutes serious threat to our nation’s democracy. The Honourable Minister needs to be reminded that public facilities such as the Ahmadu Bello Stadium are our commonwealth and approval for their use should be given to all shades of citizens and groups without discrimination.
We, therefore, condemn this grave abuse of power in its entirety and demand a stop to such show of political brigandage.
The people of Kaduna State, as things stand, are with the PDP candidate and no amount of clandestine plots to discourage people from turning out will deter them from coming out en masse to show their support for the PDP candidate at the rally tomorrow and in the elections come February 2022.
May I also use this opportunity to express our deepest regrets and apology for any inconvenience the rally might cause commuters, business owners along the Kaduna Township Stadium (formerly known as Rancher’s Bees) route.
For hindsight, Sunday Akin Dare is former Media Adviser and Chief of Staff to APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
