IN KADUNA: ISA ASHIRU JOINS PDP

There are strong indications that the All Progressive Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant in the 2015 elections in Kaduna State, Rt Hon Isa Ashiru Kudan, is set for a formal surprise return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).


Already, all his political associates including the former Chairman of Kudan local government, Hon. Muazu YaMusa, Hon. Muhammad Yau, an aspirant in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Abubakar Madaki Likoro and Bilya Doka have all returned to the PDP, Elanza News gathered.
Shortly after emerging the Party Chairman in Kaduna State, Former Minister of State for Aviation, Hon Felix Hassan Hyat, promised to unite the party and called on all PDP members who left before the 2015 general elections to return.
The two time member, Kaduna State House of Assembly and two time member, House of Representatives, who represented Kudan/ Makarfi Federal Constituency, Ashiru is set to emerge as the first strong politician in Kaduna State to have return to the PDP.
Elanza News gathered that in 2014 when Hon. Isah Ashiru was set for joining APC, all his political associates decamp first but he later followed within weeks.
“His decision to return to the Peoples Democratic Party is not unconnected with the non-patronage of the APC led government after he worked for their victory,” a source said.
“Ashiru Kudan was supposed to be nominated by the State governor as a minister from Kaduna State but the President picked Malam Nasir El-rufai sister,” he said.
According to the source, Ashiru was favoured to emerged Kaduna State governor, but things changed when the then Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, raised Malam Nasir El-Rufai hand during rallies, signifying his choice.
Elanza News gathered that recently, the governor of Kaduna state during a meeting with party Executives at the State House Kawo Kaduna, was advised to call the likes of Rt. Hon. Isah Ashiru, Haruna Y. Saeed Kajuru, Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed and others to work together for the betterment of the party and the state as a whole.
According to sources, the governor had told the gathering that he has personally visited all of them in their respective homes shortly after the primaries and invited them to join him in his plans of making ‘Kaduna Great Again.’
According to the governor, none of them responded and that he sees no reason going to them again on the same issue.
Elanza News gathered that Ashiru who was seen by many in Kaduna State as a potential governor, is set for a return to the PDP now that the Party setup structures that look favourable to him to secure a ticket of the 2019 gubernatorial election.
“Ashiru is a close ally to former governor of Kaduna State and a two term Senator, Muhammad Mohammed Makarfi, who is now the interim National Chairman of the PDP. With the information we have gathered, Rt. Hon. Isah Ashiru Kudan is joining his allies in the PDP,” Umar Haruna said.
“Everybody in the state knows the relationship between Makarfi and Ashiru which is that of a Father and Son,” Umar added.