Kano State Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has distanced himself from reports suggesting that he will contest Nigeria’s next presidential ballot in 2015.

Recent reports in a section of the media had given the impression that Kwankwaso would contest the election and possibly run with embattled Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi who has found himself in hot waters for allegedly seeking to sabotage President Goodluck Jonathan’s presumed second term ambition. Both Kwankwaso and Amaechi are of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A statement by the governor’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Halilu Ibrahim Dantiye, however, discredited such reports. The statement issued late last night in the state capital, Kano, was entitled “Kwankwaso to declare Presidential ambition – A Rejoinder.” It reads as follows:

‘The attention of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano state, Gov Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has been drawn to a statement credited to him in the Premium Times, of Wednesday, 1st May, 2013, with the headlines,

“I will declare my presidential ambition at the right time”, during his one day visit to Maiduguri, Borno state, commiserate with the government and people of the state on the recent incident at Baga.

‘The statement is a misrepresentation of fact as the governor never made any statement that suggests that he intends to contest the presidency of this country come 2015.

‘His Excellency is presently occupied with how to ensure peace, stability and unity among Nigerians as well as justifying the mandate given to him by the good people of Kano state.

‘We therefore wish to state unequivocally that Gov. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, currently serving his second and final term as governor of Kano State has not declared interest to vie for the presidency of this country or for any elective position.

‘What Gov. Kwankwaso said was that at the moment he is focusing on critical issues of development and security in Kano State and will make his position on his political future known in due course. He stressed that two years into his tenure in office is too early to start talking about 2015.’

•Photo: Governor Kwankwaso.