Paschal Emeka, Abuja / Posted January 11, 2023
A former Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Secretary, Hon Idris Tanko Mohammed Karshi has defended his decision and that of his followers to decamp from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Labour Party (LP), recently.
Hon. Karshi explained that neglect and abandonment of pioneer/key party members and stakeholders, as well as laxity in the party’s administration were some of the reasons that prompted him and his followers to massively left the PDP, which is the ruling party in the Area Council.
He explained that as a loyal party man, if his people demanded that he should be there, he wouldn’t have any other option than to obey them.
Hon. Karshi who was a former Counsellor and later served the Area Council in different capacities, addressed journalists in his Gwandara community of Karshi in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), recently.
He said: “Yes, I was a pioneer member of the party in the FCT, who served as my ward’s Councillor, Council Secretary and at various positions under the then AMAC Chairman, Hon Mica Y. Jiba, we served peacefully for the development of the Area Council.
“We left the PDP for the LP, because those in the party decided not to treat us with regard and importance, and as a partyman, I said that I won’t relent on my efforts, having served in different capacities, I shouldn’t stay at home because it will neither help my community, nor the residents of AMAC.
“Then we, including those they denied executive positions at ward and other levels, as well as our supporters have been rallying round me to see that we are in the LP, and we have done that.
Furthermore, Hon. Tanko Mohammed Karshi, accused the PDP leadership of unseriousness towards settling political differences between members in his ward, even as he added that the PDP accused them of supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the last election; an accusation he described as false, and asked, “If it is true, why didn’t we join the APC?”
Throwing more lights on the rumours of his intension to run for AMAC Chairmenship under his new party, the politician clarified that it would be unfair for him to declare for the position in a party he has just joined, adding that he is yet to hear that the party has zoned the position to his Zone; which is Zone A, comprising Nyanya, Karu, Orozo and Karshi.
Although he said that he had not made up his mind to view for the position, but was quick to add that should the people who have been passing the message around and the party decide to zone it to Zone A and they chose him, he will have no other alternative, than thriw his hat to the ring.
Informing that his community is predominantly Gwandara tribe, adding that their votes may be divided should other members of the tribe decided to contest for the position.
According to him, having successfully held different positions in AMAC, he would have brighter chance than others, but acknowledged that leadership comes from God.
He vowed to support anybody from the party, irrespective of tribe, religion, or other differences, and enjoined AMAC residents to shun sentiments and promote unity and peace, for the Area Council to move forward.