ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced plans to establish a shadow government in Kano to oversee and hold accountable the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was elected under the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
This was disclosed on Saturday by the APC Patriotic Volunteers, a faction within the Kano APC, during a meeting convened to update members on its activities.
A shadow government, sometimes referred to as cryptocracy or an invisible government, operates on the idea that political influence extends beyond elected officials to private individuals who can wield power behind the scenes.
Nation reports that in the United Kingdom, opposition parties appoint shadow ministers to scrutinize and challenge the work of government ministers.
Speaking at the meeting, the National President of the APC Patriotic Volunteers, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, emphasized the necessity of this initiative, citing the alleged failures of the Yusuf administration.
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“Plans are underway to form a shadow government due to the failure of the Yusuf administration to put Kano on the right direction,” Alhaji stated.
He explained that the group intends to assign its members to various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to monitor their activities and offer “constructive criticisms” aimed at ensuring better governance.
“This is what is obtainable in the UK, where opposition parties form shadow governments to checkmate the ruling party.
“We are going to implement it in Kano by assigning our members to MDAs to monitor their activities and compile reports”, he said.
He further revealed that a press conference would soon be held to formally announce the initiative to the public.
As part of its expansion strategy, Alhaji disclosed that the APC Patriotic Volunteers—currently boasting 60,000 members across the 44 local government areas of Kano—has commenced an online registration drive aimed at recruiting one million members by 2027.
“Our goal is to recruit 200,000 members initially. Each of these members will be tasked with bringing in five additional members, which will bring our total membership to one million before the next general elections,” he explained.
The APC Patriotic Volunteers, which was officially registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) a decade ago, is dedicated to upholding party loyalty and internal democracy.
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Alhaji emphasized that the group is committed to ensuring that merit, experience, and competence guide the selection of candidates for elective offices.
To achieve this, a media committee, led by Mallam Saleh Abubakar Kwaru, has been constituted to spearhead public enlightenment campaigns.
“The committee will launch a media campaign to educate and mobilize the public on the importance of prioritizing merit and competence in the selection of candidates for elective positions and appointments,” he noted.
Additionally, the APC Patriotic Volunteers reaffirmed their endorsement of Hon. Dan’azumi Gwarzo as the preferred candidate for the position of APC Kano State Chairman in the upcoming party congresses.
They also encouraged other members interested in contesting for various party positions at different levels to participate actively.
“As part of our mobilization efforts, we plan to collaborate with like-minded organizations to strengthen our advocacy for good governance, the rule of law, and patriotism,” Alhaji added.
He reiterated the group’s commitment to promoting free speech, association, and movement, as well as ensuring internal democracy within the APC.
The APC Patriotic Volunteers also commended President Bola Tinubu for his economic reforms, noting that food and fuel prices were beginning to stabilize.
Furthermore, they praised the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, for his leadership, which they claimed has contributed to a growing wave of defections from opposition parties to the APC.