Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje has ordered the contractor handling renovation works at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata to immediately demobilise to pave way for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to use the stadium for his rally.
The move is coming barely a day after the state government had ordered the closure of the two stadia in the state to pave way for the general renovation. The decision came under intense criticism as opposition elements claimed that Ganduje's move was aimed at baring the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from using any of the facilities for its presidential rally slated for Sunday.
However, in a statement issued on Wednesday, by Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba, the government the contractors have been ordered to demobilize to enable the PDP carry out its rally in the stadium before the commencement of full renovation. He however, indicated that the directive to the contractor to stop work does not affect ongoing overhaul of the Indoor Sports Complex.
The contractor, according to the statement, has been directed to remove all machinery from the precinct of the stadium till after the campaign rally, while the state’s darling team, Kano Pillars, have been told to use the Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari for its training sessions.
The general renovation of the stadium, it was disclosed, is aimed at giving the stadium a face-lift, including the installation of new scoreboard, race track and provision of sources for steady water supply to all parts of the stadium.
