A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano, Jadda Garko, has accused the office of the Chief of Staff to the President of sabotaging his chances of a federal appointment.
Garko, a singer who serves as a Renewed Hope ambassador, claimed that Femi Gbajabiamila’s office falsely informed President Bola Tinubu that he was “dead and buried.”
Speaking at a press conference in Kano on Monday, Garko also dismissed rumours of his planned defection from the APC, insisting that his loyalty to Tinubu and his policies remains intact.
He said his political struggles began after he publicly demanded the rehabilitation of the Kaduna–Abuja expressway.
“Some have described my stance as fighting cabals because I advised the minister of works, David Umahi, to rehabilitate the Kaduna–Abuja expressway. Every northerner who knows what is right ought to support that,” he said.
He added that had the government acted on his call nine months ago, lives would have been saved and the project nearly completed.
“Then, as proof that God is not unjust, Kwankwaso himself, though in the opposition, urged the Tinubu administration on the same project. Yet our government officials responded to him while my earlier calls were ignored,” he lamented.
Garko alleged that his name, which had been submitted for consideration for a federal appointment, was deliberately suppressed in the chief of staff’s office because of his perceived closeness to Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives.
“They told the president that I am already dead and buried. But the time will come when, God willing, we will meet the president at a public gathering and their bad envy will be exposed,” he said.
Despite the alleged sabotage, Garko said he has no regrets for supporting Tinubu.
“We promoted Asiwaju with pure intentions. We have no regrets. Whether or not I have an appointment, I will continue to work as best I can,” he said.
The APC loyalist also warned that another unresolved issue in the north could be exploited by opponents in the coming elections if not quickly addressed.
“My gaze has always been forward. My vision fixed on what lies ahead,” he said.