2019: Kwankwaso announces new venue for presidential declaration

Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has announced a new venue for his formal presidential declaration, after he was denied the use of the Eagle Square in Abuja.

Kwankwaso’s spokesperson, Binta Sipikin, has confirmed that the ceremony will now hold at Chida Hotel in Utako, Abuja.
The Kwankwaso Campaign Organisation, in a statement made available to Fidelis Chidi Blog,
expressed disappointment that Federal Capital Territory Administration(FCTA) suddenly turned down the request earlier approved “for some flimsy reasons”

It said: “In a letter dated August 27th, 2018 and signed by Usman Mukhtar Raji for the Facility Manager and received on August 28th, 2018 barely 24 hours to the scheduled declaration, the Abuja International Conference and Eagle Square, managed by the Integrated Facility Management Services Ltd has reversed itself in respect of approval granted the organizers of the declaration of Senator Kwankwaso.
“We at the Kwankwaso Campaign Organisation sees the development as a handiwork of the government in power who will not see anything good in growing our fledgling democracy as no level playing field has been created to allow for viable opposition in the country.
“Even at that, earlier Tuesday morning the Abuja International Conference and Eagle Square, managed by the Integrated Facility Management Services Ltd refused us access to inspect the premises demanding us to present a police permit, when actual approval for the use of the Eagle Square has been sought and paid for more than one week to the said declaration.

“The above development will in no way dampen our morale to go ahead with the declaration or chicken-out as it will only embolden us to legally pursue our fundamental right to freedom of movement and association.”