Wife of the sacked People’s Democratic Party’s Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Hajiya Asiya Mohammed Bello yesterday February 13th 2014 registered as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Gabasawa Ward in Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna North Local Government area of Kaduna State with registration card number 0623374.
Our correspondent, who monitored the ongoing APC registration in Kaduna yesterday confirmed that she had registered before he arrived but however got details of her registration from the registration officer.
Efforts to speak with Asiya Bello when our correspondent visited Tukur’s residence at Gwari Crescent in Unguwan Rimi as to why she choose to go with the APC and not the PDP, her husband’s party was not successful. She was said to be fasting and ready to pray after the break of the fast and will not be available to speak.
The house is a duplex with several boys quarters located at a sharp bend on a large expanse of land at the Gwari Crescent GRA of Unguwan Rimi.
According to Malam Yahaya Gambo, who claimed to be Asiya Bello’s driver, “It is true that Hajiya Asiya registered today with of the APC” while showing her registration card which was still in his possession. He, however, said, “You will not be able to speak with her because she fasted today and she is preparing to break the fast and pray, you may wish to come and see her at about 9 or 10am tomorrow (Today)”.
Also confirming her registration, the supervising officer for the registration of the APC in Kaduna north in Kaduna State, Shaibu Lilly, said, “It is true that our registration officer registered Tukur’s wife and issued her a registration card. This is one of the developments of democracy in Nigeria where you see an immediate past PDP chairman’s wife registering for APC”.
“As far as I am concerned, they might be united as husband and wife but may have different opinions as the far as the political scenario is concerned, it is to show you that it is a falling period for the PDP”.
He said the crisis in the party in Kaduna State which was due to different opinions of the members has not in any way affected the registration exercise as many party members trooped out to register, describing the registration exercise as very successful.
Asked whether Hajiya Asiya was sponsored by PDP or her husband to register in APC for ulterior motives, Lilly said, that is not true but simply democracy at work.
A close family source to the Bamangas, who craved for anonymity confirmed to FRIDAY LEADERSHIP that Asiya is still Bamaga Tukur’s wife and that the house also belong to him.
When contacted, an APC chieftain in Kaduna State, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed said he cannot confirm her registration as he was in Abuja for an official engagement.
He however said, “I do know that Bamagar’s wife has been a supporter of the APC. She has been a progressive person.”
When the Kaduna State PDP Chairman, Chief Abubakar Gaiya Haruna was contacted on the development, he simply said he was not in Kaduna and was not aware of the matter, as such could not speak on it.
