Lebanese Fingered In The Plot Against Governor Ganduje In Proposed New Government
OpenLife Nigeria reports that despite the denial of plots to exclude governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State from the scheme of things in the proposed Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, indications have emerged that Gilbert Chagoury, a Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire, is allegedly said to be partly responsible for Ganduje’s ordeal in the emerging twists and turns in the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Governor Ganduje, it was, who stood by Bola Tinubu before and during the APC primaries as well as the February 25 presidential election when opposition parties led the onslaught against his aspiration.
As a reward, Tinubu was said to have “seriously considered him as running mate,” but Chagoury, who owns the multi billion dollar Eko Atlantic City and rumoured “big time,” financial of Tinubu’s public office interest, was said to have objected and his phenomenal influence on Tinubu put paid to that consideration.
Insider who spoke to OpenLife Saturday night said Governor Ganduje’s problem with Chagoury began when the Lebanese owner of Eko Hotel considered replicating similar hospitality venture in Kano as part of his business expansion policies.
The proposal was said not to have been well received by Ganduje and Chagoury felt slighted.
“Since the days of General Sanni Abacha, Chagoury has been exuding much influence in Kano. So, he could not understand why hovernor Ganduje turned down his business interest. But among other reasons, some said Ganduje did not really fancy a close competition with another top Lebanese, late Tahir Fadlallah who owned the popular Tahir Hotel in Kano,” our source disclosed.
However, the reality of the planned cut off of Ganduje manifested last week when Tinubu hosted the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, presidential candidate, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso in France for political alignment deal that would completely knock off Ganduje in the proposed Tinubu’s government.
Chagoury, who has found partnership in the dethroned Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, in the plots against Ganduje and who is currently based in France was said to have orchestrated the meeting between Tinubu and Kwakwanso.
“The meeting Paris, organized by Chagoury, was very successful. The deal has been sealed. Kwankwaso is returning to APC to completely dislodge Ganduje. That was Chagoury’s plan and it worked out perfectly well. It was very easy to recruit the former Emir Sanusi, who Ganduje dethroned, into the plot,” the insider further revealed.
Surprisingly, governor Ganduje was among the dignitaries who received Tinubu on Saturday at Abuja airport when he returned from his 10 days Europe “working visit.”
How Ganduje re warms himself into Tinubu’s camp for a juicy position remains to be seen in the days ahead.
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