As 2023 beckons: Ganduje hosts Osinbajo, APC govs, others at Tinubu Colloquium
In what some watchers of events believe is a prelude to 2023 political contest, Kano state Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is today (Monday) hosting the 2021 Bola Tinubu Colloquium to mark the 69th birthday of the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) in Kano, the state capital.
Kano, the north’s largest commercial centre, is the second city to host the event outside Lagos, as the eleventh edition was held in Abuja 2019.
Daily Times gathered that the city is agog and wearing a very beautiful look ahead of the event which is expected to have Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, some APC governors including Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, Katsina’s Aminu Bello Masari and Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state in attendance.
Themed “Our common bond, our common wealth: The imperative of national cohesion for growth and prosperity,” the event is also o expected to be graced by the pioneer former APC national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, immediate past chair of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
The duo of Akande and Ribadu, according to report, arrived Kano last night.
One of our correspondents learnt that the event will further attract prominent APC top shots from all walks of life at the event pundits described as a remarkable watershed in the career of the man believed to be wielding considerable influence on the nation’s political landscape.
And ahead of the event, Governor Ganduje led the former Lagos state governor to pay homage to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, where they received a tumultuous reception from the monarch who described the visit as a remarkable feat.
Speaking during the visit, Asiwaju Tinubu said Kano and Lagos states have become role models to Nigerians in the nation’s peace building.
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Tinubu noted that the two most populous states have to show Nigerians the way to achieve peace because of their cosmopolitan and tolerance nature.
He said: “Nigeria is in critical stage and the only thing that would make it survive is unity and understandings. Therefore, Lagos and Kano which have come through this over time must show the ways to peace to Nigerians.
“Peace and development could be elusive if the nation continues the way it is going now. Therefore, fundamentally, unity and tranquility must be the hopes that could be rode on.
“One could see that today, Bola Tinubu is sitting side by side with Governor Ganduje and this is a clear testimony that people, regardless of their tribes and religions could come together and make a change.
“Use us as symbol and make a difference, that Lagos and Kano have been doing together all these while and Nigerians should see unity in us and make the country great,” he said.
Commending his guest, Emir Ado Bayero lauded Tinubu for the choice of Kano for the colloquium saying,”this alone is a testimony to unity and love he has for this country Nigeria.”
