By Ahmad Musa Jega

In his political history, he stands out as one of the prominent politicians from Northwestern Nigeria who has never changed his political party. No matter the challenges or hardships, he has never betrayed his party through conspiracies or divisions.

Everyone knows the difficulties and challenges he endured between 2019 and 2022. There is hardly any political challenge in the world that Distinguished Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar (Marafan Sokoto) has not faced. One could even say that only his life was spared, yet despite all this, he never abandoned his party, the APC.

– ANPP Zamfara State Secretary, 2003–2004
– ANPP Zamfara State Chairman, 2004–2006
– Member, House of Representatives (Anka–Talata Mafara Federal Constituency), 2007–2011
– ANPP Acting National Treasurer
– Governor of Zamfara State, 2011–2019
– Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum, 2014–2019
– Distinguished Senator representing Zamfara West Senatorial District, 2023–present

Distinguished (Marafan Sokoto) is the only politician in the Northwest who has kept politics within its boundaries, friendships within their boundaries, and has never allowed party differences to affect his friendships.

Examples:
1. Senator (Dr.) Aliyu Magatakarda Wamako (Sarkin Yamman Sokoto), his mentor and a leader in Northern politics.
2. Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, his friend and confidant, despite the political weight of Sokoto State, he has never allowed politics to break their bond.

Distinguished (Marafan Sokoto), no matter how great his political ambitions, never allows them to cause anyone to lose their position or status just to satisfy his own needs.

Examples:
1. In 2023, when he and Minister Hon. (Dr.) Bello Muhammad Matawalle were in APC, there was a proposal to dissolve the Zamfara State Executive Council and redistribute positions. He opposed it, insisting everyone should keep their seats until after the 2023 elections.
2. In 2023, there was a proposal to restructure APC leadership in Zamfara State. He refused, saying everyone should retain their positions, while he and Minister Matawalle would maintain their own structures.
3. In 2023, during the sharing of political candidacies in his constituency (Talata Mafara 1), even though he had more qualified candidates, he allowed Hon. Shamsuddeen Hassan Basko (aligned with Minister Matawalle) to retain his seat. After winning, Basko defected to PDP, yet Distinguished (Marafan Sokoto) did not retaliate.

Distinguished (Marafan Sokoto), if he knows you through a friend or close associate, but later you return without that connection, he will not deal with you until you reconnect through the same channel.

In conclusion, in Nigerian politics, Distinguished Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar (Marafan Sokoto) does not betray, does not slander, does not conspire against anyone, and does not sow division.

We pray to Allah (SWT) to continue guiding (Marafan Sokoto) on the right path, grant him health, wealth, and honor, and bless Zamfara State and the entire Northern Nigeria with peace, for the sake of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

By Abba Anwar

While some cowards, political appointees in federal government’s positions, refused to resign from their offices, in anticipation of their political careers against 2027 general elections, former member of the House of Representatives, from Tarauni federal constituency, Hon Hafizu Kawu (OON), (mni), did not resign for two or three fundamental reasons. He has never been a coward before now.

First and foremost, he refused to resign, because, his resignation would hit hard at Kano state. In his current position, he is representing North-West geopolitical zone. National Commissioner (Technical), at National Pension Commission (PENCOM). So when he resigns, Kano state would definitely be at the receiving end. Because there is no assurance that the position would be maintained in Kano. His love for his state supercedes other personal interests.

After his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, effective August 7, 2025, confirmation by the Senate and inauguration as part of the PENCOM Board, by the Secretary to the Federal Government, he promised to work tirelessly, to advance PENCOM’s objectives, strengthen pension administration, and safeguard the welfare of retirees across Nigeria.

As the position of Kawu was seen by many as portrayal of a good Ambassador from Kano, it is also understood as part of President Tinubu’s strategy to reposition key federal agencies for improved efficiency, making youth at the centrestage. With the confidence reposed in Kawu by Tinubu, his presence there, at the Commission, is highly needed and desirable. Not only by Kano people, but by all North-West people. Across our seven states.

No strange to federal positions and appointments, Kawu was Member, House of Representatives for Tarauni Federal Constituency, Kano (2019–2023), on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC). He served as Special Assistant to former Vice President, Prof, Yemi Osinbajo, GCON, (2015–2019). For national recognition and honour, he is the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), conferred in 2022. Kawu is Member, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, (mni), Kuru, Near Jos. A university graduate, with many certifications.

The second reason why he didn’t resign is, yes he has all it takes to contest for the position, but his special interest in the party unity, genuine membership cohesion and leadership honest consolidation, partly inform his decision not to contest. As some may argue that, his popularity, grip to the grassroot and political strength, are placed above other aspirants. With all the qualities, with all his pedigree and with the development he brought to his constituency, when he was a member, he quietly removed himself from the potential contestants.

Honourable Kawu’s strength and influence among the electorate, make him a focused political icon and juggernaut in Tarauni. As people look up to him, seeking for political direction come 2027. Though he is not contesting, he still has the power to do and undo in his primary constituency, at least. Or rather at best.

Apart from the incumbent member, the major contender for this position, is Hon Aminu Bala Ja’oji. Who recently resigned as Senior Special Assistant to the President, on Citizenship and Leadership. While he too, is another political king in his own right, his major obstacle is, the refusal of some notable politicians from Tarauni to support his ambition.

I was able to eavesdrop that, Ja’oji’s major political opponents are ganging up against him. As there was insinuation, which is yet to be ascertain that, he would get an automatic ticket. Automatic ticket could be possible and accepted in some federal constituencies in Kano, but in Tarauni, it could be vanity upon vanity.

With the undisputed influence and strength of Kawu in Tarauni politics, a possibility of dark horse is not penciled down. I learned that, some have started coming up with new strategies, new possibilities, new engagements, new interested minds and new normal. Whether true or false, Kawu may not support the candidature of Ja’oji.

Regardless of the arrangement, Kawu’s non-participation in the process as a contestant, will prove further, to all, who between him, Ja’oji and the incumbent [I don’t know if he is in APC or not] commands more respect from the party leadership and followership. If Tarauni is having parallel leadership structures, then the tug-of-war will be more interesting to watch from a distance.

For healthier, clearer and more interesting political competition, for the 2027 Tarauni election, some may suggest that Kawu should not aid Ja’oji get the ticket. And Ja’oji shouldn’t aid Kawu’s preferred aspirant, to get the ticket, during the nomination process. But when any of them gets it, then political alignment and realignment is quite normal and proper. The choice is theirs!

While in some federal constituencies, automatic ticket means peace, harmony, genuine consensus and sign of victory, in Tarauni federal constituency, automatic ticket means disaster, danger and self-defeat. Examples of where automatic ticket means peace, harmony and strategy, are Dala, Tudunwada/Doguwa, Bichi, Municipal, federal constituencies among others.

This piece is not interested in discussing Senatorial of Gubernatorial positions. Or State House of Assembly positions. The context is limited only to federal constituencies; House of Representatives.

Anwar writes from Kano
Thursday, 16th April, 2026

Resolution of the Old APC stakeholders’ meeting held last night regarding the nomination of Deputy Governor of Kano State following the resignation of former Deputy Governor Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo.

Based on this, His Excellency the Governor of Kano State, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf, gave the former APC members the opportunity to nominate 3 individuals to present to him so he can select one that everyone agrees on.

Engr. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi expressed his interest. He is currently the Chairman of the Hadejia-Jamare River Basin Authority. He received support only from the former Kano APC Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Abbas.

Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum also got support only from the former Kano APC Secretary, Hon. Ibrahim Zakari Sarina. He is currently the House of Representatives member representing Rano/Kibiya and Bunkure Local Governments.

Hon. Murtala Sule Garo was the former APC Deputy Governorship candidate in the 2023 general election where they got a significant number of votes…

He is from the same federal constituency as the former Deputy Governor who resigned.

Hon. Garo received backing from Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Hon. Abubakar Bichi, Hon. Abdulmumin Kofa, Hon. Sani Bala, Eng. Hamisu Cidari, Hon. Abdullahi M Gwarzo, Hon. Abdullahi Rogo, Hon. Sagir Koki, Hon. Yusuf Badau, Alh. Abdulsalam AA Zaura, Sen. Bashir Lado, ATM Gwarzo, Alh. Nasir Koki, and APC state assembly members, Minority Leader, Hon. Labaran Abdul Madari, Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Ayuba Labaran and 9 others making almost 90% of the Stakeholders.

Then Malam Salihu Takai and Alh. Usman Alhaji were also debated with, on the argument that Kano South must be considered, but they have no candidate.

Now awaiting the final Nomination by His Excellency the Executive, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.