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From: FRED ITUA, Abuja
Abba Risqua, the eldest surviving son of the late Head of State, Gen. Murtala Ramat Muhammed, has revealed that he would take a break from partisan politics to concentrate on his business and philanthropic activities.
Abba Risqua, who contested in the 2015 primary election for the gubernatorial seat under the People Democratic Party (PDP), in Kano State, but later settled for the running mate of the party’s torchbearer, Salihu Sagir Takai, is said to have finished consultations with family members, associates and political allies over the decision to step aside from politics.
A family source told Daily Sun that Risqua is now of the view that partisan politics is a distraction to his business interests and is shielding him from contributing effectively to the activities of Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF).
According to the source, “He told us that he now wants to focus on his business interests and also devote more of his time, energy and resources to making more positive impacts on the society and in particular the people of Kano, his home state, through the numerous social intervention programs being organised by the foundation nationwide,” the source said.
The source further said that “After being in active partisan politics since 2000, Abba Risqua was appointed Special Assistant on International Relations to the then President Olusegun Obasanjo, during which he contested for the Federal House of Representative in 2003. Abba Risqua now believes that he can contribute his quota more meaningfully towards the development of his state, Kano, and Nigeria in general away from the distractions of partisan politics.
“For sure, he will not contest the gubernatorial elections in 2019. As he steps aside and takes a long break from politics, It is believed that he has not retired completely, and is of the opinion that he does not necessarily have to aspire to political office to continue to contribute to the development of society and his country,” the source said.
