APC Women leader, Maryam Suleiman to El-Rufai: I won’t follow you to SDP
By John Okezie
Kaduna State Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress(APC) and former ally of Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Hajiya Maryam Suleiman, has broken ranks with the former governor, describing his defection to the Social Democratic Party(SDP) as a wrong political calculation.
Hajiya Maryam who was earlier suspended from the party for making critical comments against Governor Uba Sani, expressed regrets for what she had said as she apologised to the governor.
Describing her comments as a childish outburst, the Women Leader said Governor Sani is a compassionate leader and has forgiven her past utterances.
In an interview with newsmen, Hajiya Maryam said that she didn’t know of the issues that were at stake when she criticised Governor Sani, ‘’but having realised my mistake, I have apologised to him.’’
He added: “I told him that I acted out of childishness and I didn’t really understand the issues at stake. Everyone knows that I am a diligent party person. I have realised my mistakes, and I promise to make amends.”
Hajiya Maryam, who was formerly referred to as Maryam ‘Mai Rusau’, an epithet that aligned her with El Rufai, now calls herself Maryam ‘Mai Ginau’ in alliance with Governor Uba Sani’s transformative agenda in Kaduna State.
She said that the El Rufai administration made a lot of mistakes, especially in demolition of markets and sacking of primary school teachers.
“People really complained about those policies and victims were short-changed. Some of those who were affected have lost their lives. The sources of livelihood of some have crumbled.
“In contrast, Governor Uba Sani is humane. He is someone who likes to uplift people, even if he doesn’t know them. There is a world of difference between him and the former Governor.”
Hajiya Maryam said she has known Governor Uba Sani long before he became a senator, adding that ‘’I first knew him before Malam Nasir El Rufai. He is a kind-hearted man who is always looking for the welfare of the downtrodden.’’
The Women Leader said the SDP will not make any impact because it is a toddler in the political scene which is largely unknown, adding that, ‘’I will not defect to the party because I’m a bona fide APC member”.
