Politics

2023: Politicians Jostling For Kano Government House

Published

3 years ago

November 19, 2020

As the 2023 General elections are approaching, the Kano Governorship election is one of the most interesting, not only in Nigeria but West African Sub-region.

This was made possible due to the strategic Importance of Kano State as the hub of Northern politics for decades.

It’s not soothsaying that mostly those that become Governors in Kano state since its creation on May 27 1967, that is exactly 53 years ago do so on the basis of sheer luck but not hard work.

Nigerian Tracker is referring to civilian governors of the state from Late Muhammad Abubakar Rimi, who was sworn in on 1^st October 1979 to May 1983.

Rimi was warming up to become a senator when PRP leader Malam Aminu Kano of blessed memory anointed him as a result of the disqualification of Alhaji Salihi Iliyasu the initial PRP Gubernatorial candidate.

I have No Hand In Printing My Campaign Posters-EL-Rufai.

But When Rimi tried hard to become the governor for the second term his dream was shattered due to the change of party from Malam Aminu Kano’s PRP to the NPP led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe,Nigeria’s first ceremonial President.

When the aborted third Republic was launched by former military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Alhaji Sule Lamido, the former Governor of Jigawa State was preparing to become Governor Of Kano State when suddenly Jigawa State was created in 1991 and he has to shift ground because his native town of Birnin Kudu fell in Jigawa State.

Another politician was former Commissioner for Works and Housing and one-time Managing Director of WRECA and late Deputy Governor of Kano state Engineer Magaji Abdullahi, contested for several times in Secondary and Primary elections, Engineer Magaji Abdullahi could not make it, but ended up becoming a Deputy Governor.

The Trio Of Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, and Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje became governors of the state not because of their do or die ambition but for the circumstances of their time.

When Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso clinched the PDP Ticket in 1999, the talk of the town was Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who has more connection and networks then than Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, but out of sheer luck, Kwankwaso defeated Ganduje at the primaries, Ganduje was appeased and compensated with the post of Deputy Governor.

On the part of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, he was demoted from the position of a permanent secretary in the cabinet office to classroom, that prompted Malam to retire in 2001 from the state civil and joined politics, Malam later contested in 2003 under ANPP, then the cult-like following of President Muhammadu Buhari as ANPP Presidential candidate influenced massive votes cast for Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.

When in 2007 former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso decided to resign from the Federal cabinet as Minister of Defence to contest for the second time, he was not able to do so due to one reason or the other as he narrated it.

In 2011 after Kwankwaso defeated Malam Ibrahim Shekarau’s chosen successor, by the time he was going after completing his second tenure, inside sources told Nigerian Tracker that Kwankwaso was not poised to the idea of having Ganduje as his successor, but destiny beckoned on Governor Ganduje.

Some close sources confided in Nigerian Tracker that the present Governor of Yobe state Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, when he was APC National secretary, played a crucial role in ensuring Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso gave the APC Gubernatorial form to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to fill which set the pace for his emergence as Governor of Kano state on May 29, 2015.

All they say the rest is now history.

Perceived 2023 Governorship contestants

Deputy Governor Alhaji Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna.

Most Deputy Governors have the ambition to succeed their bosses in Nigeria, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, the present Deputy Governor Of Kano state is said to be nursing the ambition of stepping into the shoes of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as the former’s tenure expires on May 29, 2023, but pundits say Gawuna may not have an easy sail as the clock may not be swinging on his side due to the political calculation of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Malam Salihu Sageer Takai

Malam Salihu Sageer Takai needs no introduction in the political space of Kano state, when the country returns to Democracy in 1999, Malam Takai was elected as Chairman of his native local government, Takai, by 2003 the new ANPP Government of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau during its first tenure appointed Takai as the state’s commissioner for water resources, Malam Takai was said to be an honest and straight forward politician, he contested in 2011, 2015 and 2019 governorship election under ANPP, PDP and PRP and could not make it.

Some say his return to APC may be another ploy to make the contest very hot in the APC during the 2023 primaries.

Senator Barau I Jibrin

The chairman Senate committee on appropriation, Senator Barau Jibrin representing Kano North at the National Assembly, is one of those politicians in Kano determining to succeed Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Senator Barau Jibrin was the pioneer member House of Representatives for Tarauni Federal constituency in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003, The Buhari Tsunami swept him and Ghali Naabba the former speaker from the House.

He came back to reckoning in 2015 when APC was formed, first as commissioner of science and Technology under the administration of Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and later resigned and contested for the senatorial ticket of the APC, Senator Barau Jibrin is in the senate since 2015.

Senator Barau Jibrin came from the same senatorial District as the incumbent Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, there is a habit among Nigerian politicians who want remain relevant in the struggle for power, most two-term Nigerian Governors who are about to complete their second tenure as governors, mostly swap their seats with senators from their districts.

We will make Kano politics free from thuggery -Kano Youth Political Forum

As a result of this many people are of the opinion that Governor Ganduje may back Senator Barau Jibrin’s candidature in anticipation of contesting the senate for Kano North so that he can join the club of former Nigerian Governor who turn the senate into their political refugee camp.

Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Another Politician that may never shelve his ambition was Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf who won the first round of the Kano 2019 Gubernatorial election but later lost to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje at the inconclusive arrangement by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The goodwill currently being enjoyed by Abba Kabir Yusuf from the Kwankwasiyya camp may be another advantage for his 2023 ambition since he has contested for the seat and may deploy his experience if given another chance by the Kwankwasiyya camp of the people’s Democratic Party.

Dr Abdullahi Baffa Bichi.

Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, the sacked Executive secretary of the Tertiary Education fund has been nursing the ambition of becoming the governor of Kano state, recently he has been sighted with the Head of Kwankwasiyya movement in Nigeria, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso at many functions, but it may be a hard nut to crack by Dr. Baffa Bichi with Abba Kabir Yusuf on the frontline of contestants under the Kwankwasiyya camp of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Engineer Muazu Magaji Dawakin Tofa

Engineer Muazu Magaji Dawakin Tofa popularly known as Dansarauniya did not hide his ambition of becoming the governor of Kano state, Engineer Muazu Magaji was relieved of his appointment as commissioner of works by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on the day former Chief of Staff to the president Alhaji Abba Kyari died.

Recently Dansarauniya launched his campaign by calling it WIN-WIN, calling on Youth to join him in taking Kano to greater heights.

Dansarauniya has been nursing the ambition of becoming Governor of Kano State since 2015 when Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso finished his tenure.

Related Topics:Gubernatorial Jostling Kano

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Politics

Gov. Gida-Gida and Ganduje: The Firing of Unwarranted Political Salvos-Adamu Aminu

Published

2 weeks ago

April 9, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Successor Abba Kabir Yusuf

By Adamu Aminu.

It is extremely disheartening to see how recently our two elder statesmen, the Kano state Governor, His Excellency, Abba Kabir Yusif, politically known as Abba Gida-Gida, and his immediate predecessor, the ex-Kano and present APC National chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, are busy exchanging salvos directly at each other.

The exchanges of verbal brawls through their spokesmen emanated shortly after Governor Abba Kabir Yusif inaugurated two judicial commissions of inquiry to investigate cases of misappropriation of public property, political violence, and missing persons from 2015 to 2019 to 2023.

It was unfortunate; all the accusations and counter-accusations from both sides were riddled with harsh and demeaning words, deemed unrepeatable and unworthy to come from our respected leaders who are beating chests of leading Kano, the state that has reached the zenith of political maturity in the whole nation.

I was automatically dumbfounded by how the exchanged salvos and political sarcasm were randomly so directed at each other, without revisiting the fact that history never lies; someday, posterity will judge them.

This comes at a time when the warring parties should set aside their differences and make Kano their concern and priority, but they resorted to opening the doors of all blackmailing arsenals at their disposal, overtly directed at each other, without knowing that their utterances and accusations are doing more harm than good to Kano state in general.

This came at a time when our counterpart States in the South, like Lagos, Rivers, and others, have already set politics aside and deeply engaged in the execution of developmental projects for their people, but Kano, a state of whole-tenure politics, is dragging feet towards the fulfillment of promises during electioneering campaigns.

At this time when most Kano industries are not functional, there is no portable water, unemployment, poverty, hunger, and thuggery clogging the wheels of Kano’s economic development, instead, they resorted to engaged in trading bitter words and pointing accusing fingers at themselves.

I think it’s time for our Excellency, the state governor Abba Kabir Yusif, and his predecessor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to wake up from their slumbers and stop demeaning themselves politically.

Trading accusations of one’s incompetence, docility, and another’s accusation of land grabbing and rat-like behavior is not the utmost priority for Kano populace.

It’s time to stop deceiving ourselves with the longstanding Kano praise “Kano Tumbin Giwa, Ko dame Kazo An Fika,” which means Kano, the melting pot, whatever you came along with, you’re far left behind. Kano state in this modern era deserves to be far from where it is now.

I do hope and pray that Governor Abba and his predecessor Ganduje make Kano and Kanawas their utmost priority. They are our role models, exchanging incendiary remarks with each other will show that politics isn’t only a dirty game, it’s a dirty war of raining curses and abuses.

They should know that someday around this time, they will be no more; only their legacies will make them immortal in the memory of Kano populace.

Politics

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf Is The Head of All Political Parties in Kano-Dala

Published

3 months ago

January 17, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

In a surprising turn of events following Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s recent victory at the Supreme Court, Anas Abba Dala, a former APC chieftain and a devoted supporter of the Governor, has declared that Governor Yusuf is now the de facto head of all political parties in Kano. This assertion includes the APC, the NNPP, and the PDP.

Speaking exclusively to Kano based radio station Freedom Radio, Anas Abba Dala expressed his conviction that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s Supreme Court triumph has positioned him as a unifying figure transcending party lines. Dala, who was once a prominent member of the APC, emphasized the significance of the Governor’s victory in unifying Kano’s political landscape.

In the interview, Dala highlighted the historical context of Governor Yusuf’s political journey, acknowledging the Governor’s ability to garner support across party lines. He commended the Supreme Court’s decision, declaring it a victory for not only the PDP but for all political parties in Kano.

Anas Abba Dala’s statement reflects a shifting political narrative, as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s leadership is perceived as a unifying force that transcends partisan affiliations. The Supreme Court’s validation of the Governor’s victory serves as a catalyst for a renewed sense of political collaboration and cooperation in Kano.

While this declaration is likely to stir conversations within the political sphere, it underlines the potential for a more inclusive and cooperative political landscape in Kano under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s leadership. As the news of this assertion spreads, it will be interesting to observe how political dynamics in Kano evolve in response to this declaration of unity across party lines.

Politics

Non-indigenes in Kano Unite in Prayer for Dr Nasir Gawuna’s Success at Supreme Court

Published

4 months ago

December 20, 2023

Nigerian Tracker

Honourable Seyi Olorunsola, a prominent APC stalwart and Opinion Leader in Kano, has mobilized the non-indigenous Christian community to fervently pray for the success of Dr Nasir Gawuna, the APC candidate, in an impending Supreme Court hearing. This legal battle arises from the NNPC’s appeal, led by Governor Abna Yusuf, challenging the results of the March 18, 2023, Gubernatorial elections in Kano State.

At a prayer conference organized by Honourable Seyi, the non-indigenous Christian community gathered to intercede for Dr Nasir Gawuna, seeking divine intervention in the pursuit of reclaiming his mandate. Honourable Seyi urged attendees to persevere in prayer until victory is secured and cautioned against potential interference, notably mentioning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasizing the need to remain unaffected by NNPP propaganda aiming to undermine the APC administration.

Expressing gratitude to the judiciary for upholding the rule of law, Honourable Seyi emphasized the crucial role of the judiciary in ensuring justice. He encouraged them to remain vigilant until justice is unequivocally served, highlighting the commitment to a fair and impartial legal process, free from external influences.

Addressing NNPP concerns about the legitimacy of the APC victory, Honourable Seyi reassured the public of the APC’s commitment to the democratic process. The call for prayers from the non-indigenous Christian community not only testifies to their faith but also demonstrates solidarity with Dr Nasir Gawuna.

The prayer conference also included appeals for peace and prosperity in Kano State and Nigeria at large, emphasizing a broader vision for a united and flourishing nation. The collective hopes extend beyond the immediate political context, envisioning a Kano and Nigeria where peace prevails, prosperity thrives, and democratic principles are upheld.

Honourable Seyi Olorunsola’s call for a prayer conference reflects not just the intensity of the political situation in Kano but also underscores the significance of faith and unity during times of uncertainty.