Kano state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has ordered contractor
handling renovation works at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata to
immediately demobilize to pave way for the campaign rally of Atiku
Abubakar, presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to
hold at the stadium.
The governor, in a statement signed by the commissioner for Information,
Youth and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba, however indicated that the
directive does not affect ongoing overhaul of the Indoor Sports Complex.
Accordingly, the contractor has been directed to remove all machineries
from the precinct of the stadium till after the campaign rally, while the
state darling team, Kano Pillars have been told to use the Pillars
Stadium, Sabon Gari for its training sessions.
The general renovation of the stadium aimed at giving the stadium a
face-lift included the installation of the new scoreboard, the running
track and provision of sources for steady water supply to all parts of the
stadium.
Recall that prior to this development, the PDP had slated February 2 for
the rally, which informed government decision to mobilize the contractor
only for the party to fix another date for the campaign rally when the
contractor had already moved to site.
‘’As a democrat who believes in freedom of association, His Excellency the
governor did not ordered the closure of the stadium to frustrate the
campaign rally of the PDP. The stadium only closed for the intended
renovation works,’’ the statement added.
While wishing the PDP a successful outing, the statement urged the
leadership of the party to ensure orderliness during the event in order to
avert destruction of facilities at the stadium.