How Gombe Gov persecuted us out of APC – Ex Reps member
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A former house of representatives member, Khamisu Mailantarki on Wednesday, lamented how the Governor of Gombe State Muhammadu Yahaya, persecuted him and his supporters out of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mailantarki, who represented Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye federal consituency on the CPC platform, resigned his membership of the APC on 7th May, less than a week has opened up on the reasons behind his action.
Our correspondent reports that he has joined the race to become governor of Gombe State on the platform of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Speaking on how the current administration has persecuted him and his supporters, Mailantarki, who is known for his contribution to youth development through sports alleged that the government refused to make approvals for the smooth takeoff of his sports academy.
He said, “To my greatest dismay, this government has not recognized our contribution,” Mailantarki complained, adding, “In fact, it claimed that it is not a government of our collective efforts; it is government of his (Yahaya’s) people by his people and for him alone.
“I have a plot of land on which I planned to build Mailantarki care Sports Academy and Resort to support youths in sports and education with all the best facilities in the world.we have already Sign partnership with Clubs in Europe.
“It came as a rude shock to me that after submitting the design to the Governor to understand what I intend to do for the Youths and the state three years ago, there has not been any single response from the Government; infact instead of encourage me to implement this project his Excellency has started allocating that same plot of mine to people of his own choice.”
Mailantarki noted he was left with no option but to shift the Academy to Abuja.
“Thankfully, as it is at the moment, we have already started achieving results as currently three young talented footballers from Gombe State produced from the academy have joined Clubs in Europe and for more are getting prepared to join them.”
Commenting further on his contributions in the formation of the governing APC as well as its entrenchment in Gombe Politics; as well as his travails with the Yahaya-led APC administration, which eventually pushed him out of the party.
“I was part of the people that started the merger movement of CPC, ANPP, ACN and the New-PDP.
“Considering the fact that I was the only elected Member of House of Representatives from Gombe State, I sponsored the entire process and my leadership gained confidence of even our then political rivals in the state to join APC, most specifically Sen Danjuma Goje, Sen Saidu Alkali Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya , Sen Bayero Nafada, Hon Usman Bello Kumo,Hon Aisha Jibir Dukku, Hon Ustaz Yunus,Dasuki Jalo waziri and others.
“I led the team to meet our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, and we agreed to work together for the success of the party,” he recalled further,” Mailantarki said.
Mailantarki expressing regrets, he revealed how the party structure was hijacked, he added, “Immediately after the merger came to reality, to my greatest surprise, the party structure was hijacked by the New PDP members and even my ticket to return to my seat at the House of Representatives was denied in spite of several interventions by the National Leadership of our party.
“Several reconciliation committees which were then headed by Prominent Leaders of the party like Gov Bello Masari, Governor Mai Mala Bunu, Governor Nasiru El-Rufai, Sen Ahmad Yariman Bakura, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal and so on.”
While declaring his next line of action, Mailantarki added, “In line with the above, myself and my entire supporters are leaving to join another new promising Political Party. We wish to start all over again, believing that God gives power to whom he wishes and we strongly affirm that we intend to be just and loyal to our people.
“We are henceforth shifting our loyalty, commitment and dedication to New Nigeria Political Party (NNPP) Under the Leadership of Sen Engr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso Our President Come 2023 Insha Allah.”
