Some political bigwigs, on Wednesday, reacted to the Federal Capital Territory Administration denial of former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s request to use the Eagle Square for his formal presidential declaration.
Kwankwaso had said his request was denied barely 24 hours before his official declaration for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP ticket in the 2019 elections.
In a swift reaction, Senate President Bukola Saraki on twitter, said the refusal to allow Senator Kwankwaso access the venue sends a wrong message about Nigeria’s democracy.
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The refusal to allow Senator Kwankwaso’s campaign to utilize Eagle Square for his declaration, despite an earlier approval, sends a wrong message about our democracy, particularly the tolerance level in our politics. Eagle Square belongs to all Nigerians.
— Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) August 29, 2018
On his own part, former vice president and presidential aspirant under the PDP, Abubakar Atiku described the incident as unfortunate.
The last minute cancellation of an approval granted @RMKwankwaso is unfortunate. On October 15, 2014, under the @officialPDPNig led administration, then presidential aspirant; @MBuhari, declared for President at Eagle Square with no hindrance whatsoever. This was a work day.
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) August 29, 2018
Similarly, media aide to former president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri decried the move. He said,
If then President @GEJonathan had stopped President @MBuhari from using Eagles Square for his October 15, 2014 Presidential declaration would Buhari have happy? Would the @OfficialAPCNg have accepted it? Now today, they have denied Kwankwaso the use of Eagles Square #RenosDarts
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) August 29, 2018
Former minister of Aviation Femi Fani Kayode said the attempt to stop Kwankwaso has only made the presidential hopeful “stronger and more popular.”
You cannot stop Rabiu Kwankwaso by preventing him from declaring his intention to run for the Presidency at Eagle Square and sealing the place up.
By doing that you have only made him stronger and more popular.Whoever @OfficialPDPNig fields will beat you hands down in February.— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) August 29, 2018
Meanwhile, Senator Kwankwaso in a hotel located at Jabi, Abuja, officially declared his intention to emerge as president in 2019.
Below are more reactions from Nigerians:
In April 2014, Kwankwaso swept off Jonathan's footmarks after Kano campaign rally in support of Buhari
In August 2018, Buhari denied Kwankwaso access to Eagle square for his campaign rally
What goes around, comes around pic.twitter.com/u6jUCLapV2
— august (@auxinatez) August 29, 2018
Kwankwaso got approval and paid to use Eagle Square for his declaration rally yet Buhari sent police to seal the place today. When we call Buhari an unrepentant tyrant, this is what we mean. pic.twitter.com/ZZBcMpCwSd
— Adeyanju Deji ?? (@adeyanjudeji) August 28, 2018
“Denying Kwankwaso the use of both Eagle Square and the Old Parade Ground for his presidential declaration is another low for this government. As usual, over-zealous PMB-supporters are giving excuses, most of them silly”- Nura Alkali @dadiyata
— Ibrahim Mohammad?? (@Mu_axxam) August 29, 2018
Denying kwankwaso access to eagle square is totally not democracy….
— 05 (@mazaganeibrahim) August 29, 2018
To all the Buharists, APC card carrying members and other patriots they've spoken against the denial of Kwankwaso from using the Eagle Square, posterity won't forget you in a hurry. Let's keep doing this (kudos & knocks) to FG, agencies etc to 'better' our democracy
— The Oracle (@Clemsakin71) August 29, 2018
Why making mountain out of a mole hill? Kwankwaso should forget Eagle Square and move to Utako Park and before Buhari knows it the whole place would be jam packed.
— Meche (@amechioma) August 29, 2018
The refusal to allow Senator Kwankwaso’s campaign to utilize Eagle Square for his declaration, despite an earlier approval, sends a wrong message about our democracy, particularly the tolerance level in our politics. Eagle Square belongs to all Nigerians. *~ Dr @bukolasaraki
— Zazzyconcepts (@melove4) August 29, 2018
So Kwankwaso is denied use of Eagle Square for his Presidential declaration but the Shiites are allowed to carry on marching
— WarrioR (@GenerationNASIR) August 29, 2018
Politicians are the same. Kwankwaso did the same in 2003 as kano governor. He denied Buhari campaign group the use of Kano Stadium. Y'all owe Nigerians good governance
— Olu (@oidowu108) August 29, 2018
Let people do their declaration please. We all know it’s common sense to know that preventing an opposition politician from using a public place to do their declaration helps them more than anybody, so who prevented Kwankwaso from using eagle square?#KwankwasoDeclares
— Mu'awiyyah Yusuf Muye (@MP_Muye) August 29, 2018