Ganduje Orders Immediate Closure Of Kano Stadiums For Rennovation Ahead Of PDP Campain Rally

Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has ordered the immediate closure of two stadia in the state for renovation purposes.

Governor Ganduje had ordered officials to close the Sani Abacha Stadium at Kofar Mata and Kano Pillars Stadium at Sabon Gari on Tuesday, which is five days to the presidential campaign rally of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

We gathered that the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was scheduled to visit the state for his campaign on Sunday, February 10, 2019, while the renovation is expected to end on Monday, February 18, 2019.

The proposed renovation works include installation of new scoreboard, running track and provision of steady water supply to all parts of the stadia.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, alleged the shutdown was intended to frustrate the PDP campaign rally.

But spokesman of the State Sports Commission, Abbati Sabo, said the closure has nothing to do with the PDP rally, adding that the renovation work was embarked upon in preparation for the 2019-2020 Nigeria Premier League (NPL) season. He said:

“As far as I am concerned, this directive does not have any political undertone. The state government was advised to renovate the stadia ahead of the NPL season.

“The government had now heeded to the advice and ordered for the project in order to have smooth conduct of the league. As you can see, the facilities are in need of repair and the government has now answered the call for their renovation.”

President Muhammadu Buhari, who is in the same party with the governor used the Sani Abacha Stadium for his re-election campaign last week.