TheCable

Eight political parties contesting in the governorship elections in Kaduna have adopted Isah Ashiru of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as their candidate. 

The political parties are Action Alliance (AA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Young Peoples Party (YPP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Accord Party (AP).

The political parties announced their decision public at a press conference on Monday in Kaduna.

The governorship election will hold on March 11 in 24 states across the country.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Sanin Yaya, the governorship candidate of YPP, said the parties took the decision to back Ashiru after an “extensive consultation”.

“The decision is bone out of our genuine desire to have one indivisible state irrespective of tribal or religious differences, and we are confident that Isah Ashiru is the only candidate that will unify the state. Today, we wish to announce our support and loyalty to Isah Ashiru, the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP,” Yaya said.

He said while some candidates have “turned the political space into a hub of religious sentiments”, Ashiru’s campaign is issue-based.

“I want to use this opportunity to remind the good people of Kaduna state of the hardship and pain inflicted on them by this APC administration, from an unjustified high rate of taxes to authoritative leadership and ego,” he said.

“It is on these grounds that we call on our people to stay away from the APC candidate who is only a puppet to his paymaster who will continue with their anti-masses policy in the state. We urge the good people of Kaduna state to come out en-mass on the 11th of March to vote for Ashiru/Ayuba for a better Kaduna state”.

The PDP is seeking to unseat the ruling APC in Kaduna which has been in charge under Nasir El-Rufai for almost eight years.

The opposition defeated APC in the state during the presidential election held on February 25.