The Women’s Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State and a former allay of Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Hajiya Maryam Suleiman, has dumped the former governor, describing his defection as a wrong political calculation.
Maryam, who was earlier suspended from the party for making critical comments against Governor Uba Sani, expressed regret for what she had said and apologised to the governor.
Describing her comments as a childish outburst, the Women’s Leader further said that the Kaduna governor is a compassionate leader and has forgiven her past utterances.
In an interview with newsmen, Hajiya Maryam said that she didn’t know the issues at stake when she criticised Uba, ‘’but having realised my mistake, I have apologised to him.’’
She said: ‘’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 the current governor’s transformative agenda in the state.
The Women’s Leader said the El-Rufai administration made many mistakes, especially in the demolition of markets and sacking of primary school teachers.
She said: ‘’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 further said that she has known Uba long before he became a senator, adding, ‘’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’s Leader said the SDP will not make any impact because it is a toddler in the political scene which is largely unknown, adding, ‘’I will not defect to the party because I’m a bona fide APC member. ‘’
