A former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has blamed President Muhammadu Buhari of fuelling crisis in the Kano chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, by removing the elected chairman of the party, Umar Doguwa.

Addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, the chief of staff to the former governor said the president directed for the immediate removal of Kwankwaso-backed chairman of the party, Umar Doguwa, despite being the bona fide chairman of the party.

He condemned the decision of the party, saying Mr Doguwa’s removal was unconstitutional, null and void.

According to Mr Abdussalam, the removal was allegedly orchestrated by Sha’aban Sharada, a personal assistant to the president; Hafiz Kawu, also an aide to the president; and Bashir Ibrahim, a close associate of the president.

“It has come to our notice that the Presidency has directed for the immediate removal of the duly elected chairman of the Kano chapter of the APC Hon. Umar Haruna Doguwa, through Alhaji Shaaban Sharada (PA to the President on Broadcast media), Hafiz Kawu (PA to the Vice President) and Alhaji Bashir Ibrahim Gwammaja a close associate of the Presidency.

“These staff and associate of the president alongside some few members of the party led by the National Secretary Mai Mala Buni presided over the illegal removal of the duly elected chairman with military precision and swiftness; replacing him with a crony of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

“As concerned members of the APC, we consider this unfortunate development as a flagrant disregard to the party’s constitution and abuse of due process which is in total contempt of the party’s laid down rule, regulations and procedures.

“Neither the National working committee or the National Executive committee of the party has ever met to take such a wrong and ultra vires decision as clearly stipulated in article 21 of the APC constitution.

“In view of the above development, we feel highly disappointed and totally condemned such action, which is sheer disrespect to the constitution of our party. Therefore, we consider the purported removal of the duly elected chairman as unconstitutional and illegal.

“It was our thought that gone is the era of impunity and total disregard to the rules and regulations but regrettably to our utmost dismay our thoughts have been proven wrong with this unfortunate development.

“Finally, we wish to demand that the National Party leadership with immediate effect reverse this act of impunity as past experiences have taught us that such action can result into disastrous consequences for the party,” he added. (Daily Nigerian)