TheCable

Aminu Shagali, a former speaker of Kaduna state house of assembly, has asked residents of Kaduna to come together to save Nasir el-Rufai, governor of the state, from “retrogressive forces bent on undermining his legacies”.

While addressing journalists in the state on Sunday, the former speaker said the forces are “purported loyalists of the governor, but are all well-armed with mischief”.

He said the foundation laid by el-Rufai is under threat.

“Sadly, given the current signs, the picture is fraught with uncertainty, and the foundation so masterfully laid is now under threat, and about to be destroyed on the altar of some retrogressive forces,” he said.

“It is on this note that I appeal to the people of Kaduna State, and especially members of the All Progressives Congress to extend genuine solidarity to the Governor and save our State from these retrogressive forces.

“We must come together, reason together and strive together to stand by the governor. These forces will not hold back; they are relentless in the wild pursuit of their agenda and can only be subdued by a strong force for common good.”

His comment may not be unconnected to the ongoing face-off between Uba Sani, senator representing Kaduna central, and Yusuf Zailani, speaker of the assembly.

He said “unwarranted upheaval and political disruption must be avoided in the time left before 2023,” adding that people of the state “must come together, reason together and strive together to stand by the governor”.

Shagali commended the governor for demonstrating “forthrightness, courage and supreme innovation in charting purposeful development,” since he assumed office in 2015.

“As a serving member and immediate past Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, I have followed with deep concern the recent political developments in Kaduna State,” he said.

“The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has since 2015, demonstrated forthrightness, courage and supreme innovation in charting purposeful development.

“This can be seen in the reform of critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and security.

“He has also led an economic rebirth leading to an unprecedented flow of investments into the State, and not least, the ongoing Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan urban renewal projects.”