The Southern Kaduna Political Forum (SKF) has alleged undue political influence by former Governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufai in the emergence of Isa Ashiru Kudan and Irimiya Kantiyok as African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidates in Kaduna state.
The forum made its position known at a press conference held Monday at the Epitome Event Center, Barnawa, Kaduna.
Addressing journalists, convener of the forum, Comrade Boniface Ishaku Kambai, said the development within the Kaduna ADC have strengthened the perception that the immediate past governor continues to wield “overbearing influence” over the party’s decision-making process in the state.
He said the selection of the deputy governorship candidate did not emerge from broad-based consultation with stakeholders, community leaders, youth groups, and other political actors from Southern Kaduna.
“It reflects the preference of a few individuals, a development that falls short of the democratic values of consultation, inclusiveness, and collective participation. Consequently, we reject the nomination in its entirety,” Kambai stated.
The forum further expressed concern that major decisions within the Kaduna state chapter of the ADC are increasingly being dictated by a narrow political circle associated with el-Rufai, instead of through transparent and democratic internal party processes.
Kambai said a significant number of stakeholders and youth across Southern Kaduna have reservations about the nomination of Hon. Kantiyok.