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 How First Set Of 1999 Governors Went To Political Oblivion

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1999 Governors

 

 

 

Abbas Yushau Yusuf

 

When Nigeria return to democratic rule on May 29, 1999, the General Abdulsalami Abubakar Administration at a colorful ceremony handed over the affairs of Nigeria to a former military leader General Olusegun Obasanjo.

On that fateful day, Nigeria’s longest-serving chief justice of the federation ,Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais administered the oath of office to General Obasanjo and his deputy Alhaji Atiku Abubakar at eagle square in Abuja.

 

From that day the citation and commencement of the 1999 constitution started operation, while the ceremony  was going on in Abuja, 36 state governors took their oath of office in their respective state capitals.

 

Apart from winning the central government led by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the remaining 36 states were shared between three political parties of People’s Democratic  Party, PDP, All Peoples Party, APP, and Alliance for Democracy AD.

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The PDP then controlled 21 states out of the 36 states, the APP has 9 states, and the Alliance for Democracy had 6 states.

 

NIGERIAN TRACKER investigation has realized that majority of the first generation governors from 1999 to 2007 and most of whom who serve their second terms consecutively are never heard even in press interviews or they did not register any political presence anywhere.

But despite that, some of them have already died in the course of Nigeria’s political journey of the fourth republic.

 

Those that have died include Nigeria’s former president Umaru Musa Yaradua who serves as governor of Katsina state from 1999 to 2007, 3 years after he was sworn in as President of Nigeria.

Another Governor that also died is the former governor of Bayelsa state Diepreye Alamiesiegha, former Governor of Niger State, Engineer Abdulkadir Kure, and former Governor of Kwara State Governor Muhammad Lawal.

 

Others are, Governors   Adebayo Adefarati, Mala Kachalla of Borno State and  Abubakar Habu Hashidu of Gombe state, and Prince Abubakar Audu of Kogi state.

 

In the south-west geopolitical zone, the only Governor that is relevant and still a stakeholder in the political equation of Nigeria and who also ruled Lagos from 1999 to 2007 is Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tinubu.

 

Others who never even made any political news let alone become relevant in the southwest are Adebayo Adefarati(Dead) of Ondo state, Alhaji Lam Adesina of Oyo state(Dead), and Chief Segun Osoba of Ogun State.

Others are Abdulkarim Bisi Akande of Osun state and Mr. Niyi Adebayo of Ekiti state who is currently in the federal cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari.

 

But during the 2003 general elections, only one governor survive the political Tsunami that swept the whole southwestern states of Nigeria as the PDP took over with the exception of Lagos state.

 

In the North-Western part of Nigeria, seven Governors held sway from 1999 to 2007, they are Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano state, Ahmad Muhammad Makarfi of Kaduna State, Umaru Musa YAradua of Katsina state(late) Ahmad Sani Yerima of Zamfara State, Ibrahim Saminu Turaki of Jigawa state and Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa of Sokoto state and Muhammad Adamu Aliero of Kebbi state.

Only Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, and Muhammad Adamu Aliero are being heard and their presence registered in the political affairs of Nigeria.

In the Northeastern part of the country, the governors that governed the states are Alhaji Mala Kachalla (now Late)of Borno state, Mr Boni Haruna of Adamawa state, Reverend Jolly Toro Nyame of Taraba state, Abubakar Habu Hashidu(late) of Gombe state, others are Ahmad Adamu Muazu of Bauchi state and Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim of Yobe state.

 

Only Ahmad Adamu Muazu is being heard recently as PDP national chairman during the administration of Goodluck Jonathan, while senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim that serves as the senator from 2007 to 2019 quit the stage.

But Reverend Jolly Nyame is serving a jail term due to corrupt acts involving him when he was a governor from 1999 to 2007.

 

The southeast has the following as Governors, Chinwoke Mbadinuju of Anambra state, Achike Udenwa of Imo state,Dr Sam Egwu of Ebonyi state, Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu state and Dr Orji Uzo Kalu of Abia state.

 

Only Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu remains politically relevant as a serving senator of the federal republic and whose jail term for corrupt acts was quashed by a higher court thus returning him to the senate.

While the Governors of the south-south are Donald Duke of Cross River State, Obong Victor Bassey Attah of Akwa-Ibom state, Dr. Peter Odili of Rivers state, Diepreiye Alamiesigha (Dead)of Bayelsa state, James Ibori of Delta state, and Lucky Igbenidion of Edo state.

 

Only one,Dr. Donald Duke of Cross River state seems to be politically relevant as he contested the 2019 Presidential election.

The North-central geo-political zone had  Late Abdulkadir Kure as Governor of Niger State , Kwara has retired Navy captain Muhammad Alabi Lawal who is also late, Nassarawa Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, Plateau Joshua Chibi Dariye, Benue George Akume, Kogi Late Abubakar Audu.

 

Only George Akume seems to be politically relevant as he is a serving minister of special duties in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

While Joshua Dariye of Plateau state is currently serving a 15-year jail term over corrupt acts and for squandering ecological funds meant for the state.

 

A political scientist Dr Muttaqa Yushau told NIGERIAN TRACKER that the reason while the majority of those governors who are alive and cannot be heard of shows that political power is transient.

 

The only legacy one bequeathed to the people is what he has done to impact on the lives of the people he governs  and  on the aspect of human development

 

 

 

Politics

When Two Kano Elephant fights, The Grass Suffers -Kabiru Anka

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By Kabiru Anka PhD.

 

The political Intrigues in Kano State in recent time can be rationalised within the dictim of the adage of “When two Elephants fight ,the Grass Suffers”.
It all began with series of litigations and media attacks aimed at former Governor of the state and the National Chairman of ALL Progressives Congress (APC) Abdullahi Umar Ganduje ostensibly by the NNPP lead State government of Abba Kabiru Yusuf

The government, using its organs gone filled multiple court cases against Governor Ganduje and his wife, creating a climate of turmoil and uncertainty in the state.

The fact that the government has taken such drastic measures, including an orchestrated suspension of Ganduje from his party at the ward level, highlights the magnitude of the crisis that has emerged at the national party level. Interest groups are now jostling to take advantage of the situation and capitalize on Ganduje’s vulnerabilities to potentially remove him from office.
However, amidst all these Intrigues is the underlying fact aimed at the demolition of the structure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State.
It didn’t stop at that , there is also the glaring evidence to stop work on all inherited projects of the former government even at great cost to tax the payers.
As a result, the political turmoil in Kano State has far-reaching implications not only for Ganduje but also for the overall stability of the APC in the state and of course the development of the people.
The power play between interest groups and the state government threatens to disrupt the political status quo and create a vacuum that could be exploited by opportunistic elements.
The situation in Kano State is a reflection of the complex and often treacherous nature of Nigerian politics. As Ganduje navigates through this storm of litigation and media attacks, it is crucial for all stakeholders to prioritize the interests of the people and work towards a resolution that upholds the democratic principles on which our society is built. Only through unity and cooperation can we overcome the challenges that lie ahead and forge a path towards a brighter future for Kano State and Nigeria as a whole than witch hunting a man who worked tirelessly for the sustainability of APC in Kano and success recorded during the last general elections.

The citizens of Kano deserve leaders who prioritize their well-being and work towards the common good, rather than engaging in power struggles and personal vendettas.
Moving forward, it is essential for all parties involved to engage in constructive dialogue and find common ground to resolve the political turmoil in Kano State. By focusing on the issues that truly matter to the people, such as infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and job creation, etc.

Ultimately, the future of Kano State rests on the ability of its leaders to rise above petty politics and prioritize the welfare of the citizens than running after a man who did his best to develop the state as governor.
Two many projects we leant have been abandoned while new ones are being flagged off. Ironically Ganduje completed many of the projects initiated by Kwankwaso. Indeed ,when two elephants fight the grass suffers.

Dr Kabiru Anka is political analysis based in Kano

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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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Politics

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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