By Chukwudi Nweje, Lagos
The governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Kano State, Bashir Ishaq Bashir, Tuesday, refuted stories going around in the state that he has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement yesterday, Bashir noted that he remains a loyal member of the LP and is committed to contesting and winning the governorship election in Kano State in 2023.
He described the stories of his alleged defection as “campaigns of calumny, mudslinging and mischief” peddled by politicians determined to be an obstacle in the wheel of Nigeria’s progress.
The statement said, “Our attention has been drawn to the widespread rumour going around that I’m defecting to the APC, with two serial known transactional lightweight politicians.
“This statement became necessary because of the calls, text messages and visitations I received this morning on the growing speculations and rumours being shared across social media platforms in the state to the effect that I will be pitching tent with APC.
“This information is false, baseless and without any iota of credibility. One doesn’t leave certainty for uncertainty. Labour Party and ObiDatti are what we need to salvage our county from political mercenaries and failed leadership under the contraption called APC and its siamese twin the PDP.
“This is to bring to the notice of the general public, especially our millions of supporters across Nigeria and in the diaspora. I am a card-carrying member of our great party the LP and the gubernatorial candidate of the Party in Kano State. I believe in the ideals and leadership standards of OBI and Datti and will continue to support them with all we have.
“Campaigns of calumny, mudslinging and mischief are the stock-in-trade of the people spreading these rumours. They are people who have an uncommon ability not to be embarrassed by any scandal.
“Labour Party has become a moving train, anything or anyone standing in its way is doing so at his or her own risk. The people have awakened, and the young men and women have taken their destinies into their hands. There is no stopping us. The only thing between us and success is time, and by the grace of the Almighty, time, this time around is on our side,” the statement said.