Kaduna State Factional All Progressives Congress, APC Akida (APC ideology) have alleged threat to live of some of its founding members by Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai.

Addressing journalistson Sundayin Kaduna, Murtala Ahmed, spokesperson of the APC Akida faction alleged that “there are threats to life on Isa Ashiru (a one-time governorship aspirant who lost the APC primaries to Mr. el-Rufai in 2015), Shehu Sani Senator representing Kaduna Central, Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Hajia Hafsat Baba and all supporters of the factional APC.”

The spokesperson added: “We are here today to alert the general public, security agencies, members and the leadership of the All Progressive Congress on a serious issue that has to do with the safety and lives of many prominent individuals and some citizens of Kaduna State.

"On Saturday, 4th June 2016, a town-hall meeting was held at Giwa Local Government area of Kaduna State, while responding to one Ayuba Ragas who advised the governor to reconcile with the APC Akida group, he (the governor) described himself as the man with the big shoes that will CRUSH, TRAMPLE ON AND DESTROY the ants (in reference to members of the APC Akida).”

According to APC Akida spokesperson, “The Governor in his (el-Rufai’s) words said ‘I am ready for the useless people who call themselves APC Akida, the scene is like that of a man wearing a big shoe being confronted by ants, the man wearing the big shoe, will crush, trample and destroy the ants’.”

Continuing, Ahmed said: “This unwarranted threat, coming from a man who has the resources and state security apparatus at his beck and call is very disturbing and such irresponsiblecomments should not be swept under the carpet because they have the power to push some overzealous thugs of the governor to maim and attack the supporters of the True All Progressive congress, the APC AKIDA.

“Consequently, we are calling on the security agencies to promptly investigate this threat with the aim of averting an impending political disaster in the state.

“We are equally inviting the National headquarters of our party to take disciplinary actions against the governor for leading the party into an avoidable crisis that could have negative monumental consequences on the unity and progress of the party, as we call on all foreign missions and embassies in Nigeria to take note of the Governor’s intent to wipe off opposition in the state.

“Let us make it abundantly clear that anything that happens to our leaders and supporters in any parts of the state we are going to holds the Governor responsible.

“We have vowed to speak up against any form of injustice or misrule by anybody or any group, and no amount of threats or intimidations can stop us.

“We owe our long suffering masses a duty to ensure good governance, equity and justice, any group or individuals that deviate from these will have us to contend with.”

In a swift response in a statement signed by Salisu Tanko Wusono, Acting Publicity Secretary of Kaduna State Government backed APC, said: “The mischievous are crying wolf.”

He said the APC Akida should not be taken seriously adding that, the APC responded to them “only so that the public can know that these are people who have marginalised themselves by the delusion that the party must worship them.”

Wusono added: “They have isolated themselves and demonstrated inability to be disciplined or to commit to wider interests beyond their ego.

“The APC and its leaders have every right to warn them to desist from puerile politics. No one will be allowed to thwart the APC from deepening its roots and being strengthened as a party of the people, disciplined and focused on the public good.

“The APC will not waste time pandering to the insecurities of politicians who have interpreted past efforts to embrace them as a kind of weakness.”

“Crying wolf and insinuating that anyone wants to attack them further exposes them as lightweights. These are people clinging on straws, and trying to create mischief conscious of their political weakness as a coalition of the defeated, the deluded and the selfish discontented.”

•Photo shows Governor El-Rufai.