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As The Agitation For Power Shift Is Gaining Ground:Will Kwankwaso,Atiku,Others Contest in 2023

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From Our Political Desk

Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,the first politician to serve two non consecutive terms as Governor since Nigeria’s return to Democracy in 1999 is nursing the ambition to contest for the presidency of Nigeria.

His first attempt was in Lagos on the 10th and 11 of December 2014 when the main Nigeria’s opposition party warmed up to unseat the ruling PDP in the 2015 General Elections.

But as politics would have it, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso lost to President Muhammad Buhari by becoming second with 954 votes to Buharis over 3 thousand votes.

While Atiku Abubakar another politician from the Northern part of Nigeria who has never been hiding his ambition to rule Nigeria came third and Governor Rochas Okorocha clinched the fourth position .

The publisher of Leadership Confidential Sam -Nda Isiah also came 5th .

Unlike Atiku Abubakar who has since indicated interest to vie for the nation’s topmost seat in 2023,Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is yet to indicate interest as the race is again gathering momentum.

2023 : Will power shift work?

In 1999 when Nigeria decided to return to Democracy ,Northern power brokers made commitment to handover power to the south on a platter of gold without any sweat from the southern part of Nigeria.

The trio of General Abdulsalam Abubakar, Retired General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Lieutenant General Aliyu Muhammad Gusau picked their former Boss General Olusegun Obasanjo after releasing him from prison , repackaged him , employed known and unknown tactics and on May 29,1999 ,the destiny of the nation was bestowed on Obasanjo for the second time ,but this time not against his personal wish and desire.

Analysts said the dominant Nigerian press which is concentrated in the south mounted a serious propaganda for the North to handover power to the region, citing the excuse of June 12 1993 election annulment as case study to wrest power from the North.

When Obasanjo finished his 8 years in 2007 ,many understand that the former president was not committed fully to returning power to the North,that was why people said he imposed late President Umaru Musa Yaradua to succeed him despite Yardauas sickness.

So instead of the PDP to maintain the gentleman agreement to field another northerner for the 2011 General Elections, it paved way for Goodluck Jonathan to emerge,that arrangement angered many northerners and when GoodLuck Jonathan won the election,post election violence greeted prominent Northern Nigerian cities where properties of elites were razed and Non indigenes were killed.

Now with 2023 approaching ,the call for powershift as a gentleman agreement has started gaining ground again with minister of works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola saying for the agreement to be fulfilled the APC should field a southerner as its flagbearer for 2023 General Elections.

Since 1999,the first time the southwest backed a northerner to become President of Nigeria was in 2015 when the Present Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the region,Senator Bola Ahmad Tinubu,APC National leader asked the west to vote for President Muhmmad Buhari.

By 2023, President Buhari will finish his tenure as provided by the constitution,but the APC is yet to tell Nigerians where it’s candidate is coming from ,or it will allow a free contest between candidates from all regions so that the one backed by the party behind the scene will fly it’s flag.

But another party where a number of Nigerians are shifting their attention to is the main opposition party ,the PDP, Politicians like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar have contested under its platform in 2019, and after supreme court judgements that gave victory to President Buhari,Atiku is now warming up and have been regurgitating his structures across the country to launch him into political reckoning and for 2023 Presidency.

Another politician that slugged it out in 2019 with Atiku Abubakar in the PDP Presidential Primaries held in Photarcourt was former Governor of Kano State Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who has never hidden his ambition to have a shot at the Presidency beginning from 2015?

If PDP decided to allow a level playing field for Atiku,Kwankwaso,Aminu Waziri Tambuwal ,the incumbent Governor of Sokoto State to go for primaries and any one of them wins,APC will have a tough time to win the Presidency easily if it fields a southerner as its Presidential flagbearer for 2023.

Politics

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

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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.

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

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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.

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Politics

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

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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.

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