By AbdulSalam Muhammed
KANO — The intra -party crisis rocking the Kano State chapter of People Democratic Party, PDP, took a frightening dimension midweek as a splinter group led by Alhaji Yusuf Baita has threatened to drag the party to court if Dr. Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former governor, imposed himself as the governorship candidate of the party in 2011 gubernatorial race.

Addressing Journalists in Kano, Alhaji Yusuf Baita who was a commissioner during the administration of Rabiu Kwankwaso in 1999-2003 also called for the immediate suspension of the Kano party chairman, Alhaji Farouk Iya, by the national body for what they described ‘incompetence on the part of the local officer.

Baita who was flanked by notable figures in the last Kwankwaso administration accused Barrister Farouk Iya of being a puppet and suppressive instrument being used by Kwankwaso to cause disaffection among party faithful.

He stated that “if  Kwankwaso emerged as the governorship candidate of the party, the party will not only lose the election but will be disgraced because  Kwankwaso is no longer marketable as a politician to get the vote from electorate in the state”.

The former commissioner lamented that despite efforts by notable founding fathers of the party in Kano to call Kwankwaso to order, he has failed to toe the path of honour by allowing peace and tranquility to prevail in the party.

Baita declared that, “lack of internal democracy that contributed to party’s dismal outing in 2003 and 2007 have now reared its ugly head because an ordinary individual within the party believes he has the solution to all affairs of the party”.

Alhaji Baita added that for years the notable members of the party had been patiently allowing peace to reign, but it has reached a situation where silence will not augur well, hence the reason why they resorted to voice out now.

He disclosed that “these myriad of problems and dictatorial tendencies of a  individual had forced notable chieftains of the party to look elsewhere”.