'Shagari encouraged me after losing 1979 N’Assembly election' - Ganduje

The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has disclosed that the political appointment and words of wisdom he received from former President Shehu Shagari after he failed to secure a seat in Federal House of Representatives in 1979 changed his mindset on what it takes to contest an election.

Ganduje made the revelation during the solidarity visit by the Forum of 2023 State Assembly candidates on Friday.

After listening to their purpose of visit and how few of them lost out to the opposition at the just concluded 2023 legislative polls, the former governor of Kano State encouraged them not to be dejected, saying there were inherent lessons to be learnt in the art of politics.

While admitting that winning or losing election is not an easy task, the 73-year-old politician shared the story of how Shagari revived his spirit after losing a legislative seat in National Assembly.

Shagari was the first democratically elected president of Nigeria, after the transfer of power by the military Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjom in 1979 giving rise to the Second Republic.

The late elder statesman worked as a teacher before venturing politics in 1951.

Ganduje maintained that the lesson he learnt from Shagari made him a better politician and the man he has become today.

He said, “I contested House of Reps election like one of you said earlier but couldn’t make it. However, I know all of you here will make it. I could recall in 1979, I contested election and lost the House of Reps seat. When Mr President came to Kano, we lined up at the airport. We were being introduced to Mr. President, the late Alhaji Shehu Shagari of blessed memory.

“When it got to my time, I just behaved like a child. I said I am the one who contested the House of Representatives seat and could not make it. He looked at me and said ‘No, my friend, since I am the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you have not lost election’.

“So eventually, I got a political appointment, which gave me the hope, energy and aspiration. From that time to date, I have contested many elections and won many times. I am telling you this story to give you hope in this our ‘Renewed Hope.’

“So, I urge you to continue being active, working and bringing synergy to the party. I assure you to use the time to use the vehicle to win elections, especially now that we are having off-season elections in Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa and Edo.”