The announcement that the Appeal Committee for the All Progressives Kaduna has upheld the sole candidature of Shehu Sani for the Kaduna Central contest has been described as a gift to main challenger Lawal Adamu Usman (Mr LA).
In an interaction with the media in Kaduna, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, special consultant on media to Mr LA said the Mr LA camp immediately switched to celebration mode following the announcement.
“We were anticipating some form of a fight in 2019. But with this development, we are convinced of victory without much struggle. We were preparing to face and of course route the combined force of APC and the Kaduna state government. It’s now a pushover because an isolated Shehu Sani is far less a match for the Mr LA whirlwind,” Suleiman said.
Adducing reasons for his claim, Suleiman said the immensity of support shown to Mr LA is way beyond what is ordinarily enjoyed by other senatorial aspirants in the country, not the least Shehu Sani.
He said for the first time, a young man aspiring to the Senate which has a limited constituency is however enjoying statewide support.
“With the level of statewide support Mr LA is receiving, one can safely conclude that the young man is not just a material for a limited federal constituency but for state governorship,” he said.
Mr LA’s sweeping popularity across the state leaves no one in doubt that if had sought to contest the Kaduna state governorship, he can beat elrufai to it, notwithstanding incumbency,” he added.
Suleiman who disclosed that already the Mr LA camp has started receiving congratulatory messages from even many APC members, stressed that Shehu Sani is obviously no match to Mr LA in any straight contest.
He attributed this massive support and phenomenal statewide appeal to what he called Mr LA’s rare blend of youthful dynamism, proven integrity, honesty and experience.
Mr LA is trustworthy and do understand that to work for the people over the course of years, they must level with the people.
“While most politicians are adept at identifying and seizing on issues that will work to their own or their party’s benefit, Mr LA possesses an additional skill of knowing how to use the system to achieve results.
“The young man happens to understand where to get help for constituents, and thinks creatively about how to use politics and his colleagues’ interests to advance the goals of the society.
“Just as important, Mr LA also understands the limits of influence in terms of both what as a politician he can realistically accomplish, and the fact that he might react to events but rarely can control them.
“Mr LA is thus down-to-earth, and genuinely likes all kinds of people and is comfortable talking to anyone in all kinds of environments.
“Unlike his major competitors, Mr LA makes himself accessible to the big and the humble alike, is sensitive to the mood of the people, knows how to read people’s problems, and is quick to respond.
“Without the usual rigid extremism shown by most politicians, LA is generally flexible to other points of view, believing that while he may differ with someone on one issue, he will likely be working with that same person on another issue in the future.
“And he understands that politics involves give and take, and the ability to find common ground in contrast to competitors who are tempted to think of seeking a political seat as an entitlement, as something to be held by right. Mr LA listens very carefully to those on the other side, not only to learn their arguments, but especially to learn how far he can move them and how far he has to be moved in order to reach consensus.
“While willing on one hand to take defeat in stride knowing that setbacks and criticisms go with politics, on the other hand LA never forgets where he is from and fights hard not to succumb to betrayal of people’s trust.
“He defies persecution by making it a point of duty to identify with the masses of the people, to remain loyal to his constituents, and to have an abiding faith in playing the game with decency, intelligence and patriotism,” Suleiman said.
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