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Kano:The Knock On Head Of Nigeria’s Kingmaker

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Kano Map

 

By Bala Ibrahim.

Historically, Kano was created in 1967 from the former northern region. Geographically, it is located between Katsina state to the northwest, Jigawa state to the northeast, Bauchi state to the southeast, and Kaduna state to the southwest. According to all the national censuses, Kano State is the largest state by population in Nigeria. Also, according to the voter register presented by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Kano has the second largest number of registered voters, with close to 6 million people on the roll.

And precisely that is the crucial crux of this article- the political position of Kano in Nigeria.

In other words, is Kano a kingmaker by virtue of its population strength? If yes, is it exploiting that political strength, or simply surrendering to the position of a knock on the head?

Despite Anointing Gawuna,Inuwa Waya To Contest APC Primaries

History has shown that Kano has never produced a democratically elected President. It has never gotten the position of an elected Vice President, or a Senate President. The highest position held by any son of the soil of Kano is that of the Speaker, House of Representative. Yet, it is Nigeria’s reservoir of votes.

Pursuant to the ongoing scramble to grab the access key to the highest seat of power in Nigeria, and my deliberate silence on the issue, a friend sent a message to me, and I quote:

“Salam Sir, have been eagerly waiting to read your take on the endless list of APC presidential aspirants, despite the huge prices of N100m. Perhaps with your views on the permutations and the chances of each candidate, plus clues to decoding Buhari’s kept to chest preferred successor!”

Initially, my intention was to stay mute, until things get to a particular turning point, or a decisive time when the need would necessary arise for the search of a wild card. That is the time when any change in situation, especially the change that would bring big beneficial results to the horse that is coasting to victory comes. At that time, all attention would shift to Kano, the state that always settles the contest.

Yes, with close to 6 million registered voters, and a high level of political consciousness, Kano is simply Nigeria’s political goal-getter.

Consistently, and continuously, Kano has been the decider on who emerges the political President of Nigeria. And it does so despite the fact that the system has never given any of its sons or daughters the chance to stand as a candidate in any of the big parties, since 1999.

The closest Kano got on the road to the Villa in Abuja was in 1993, when late Bashir Tofa was made the National Republican Convention, NRC, candidate, in the annulled June 12 presidential election that was organised by the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who said he would not disclose his preferred successor for fear of the successor being killed, received nearly 90 percent of Kano state’s vote in 2015, when he got a 1.7 million vote edge that accounted for more than half of his final margin of victory over the then incumbent president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Again in 2019, PMB won his re-election bid by defeating his closest rival Atiku Abubakar, the former Nigeria’s Vice President that was bitten by over 3 million votes, courtesy of the 1.4 million votes given to him by the combined contributions of the 44 local government areas of Kano State.

While my friend’s concern centres on the endless list of APC presidential aspirants, despite the huge prices placed on the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, my worry is on why no son of Kano is amongst those on the long list, despite the population strength of the state.

Is the kingmaker surrendering to the position of a knock on the head?

Reports have it that the ruling APC has raked in the sum of N1.23 billion from the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to 17 Presidential aspirants. As of last week, it was gathered that 17 Presidential aspirants had already paid N100 million each for the forms. This is good, even though EFCC is threatening to investigate the sources of such humongous nest egg.

From reports, the list of the presidential aspirants that have picked their forms include, the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, Jigawa state Governor, Abubakar Badaru, Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi; his Kogi State counterpart, Yahaya Bello; the National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu and Senator Rochas Okorocha. No single name from Kano.

The question begging for answer is, is the kingmaker surrendering to the position of a knock on the head?

Economic scientists may see population density as a problem that could put pressure on the economy, especially as it influences land allocation, food, infrastructure, and health/human services. But political scientists may have a reversed view.

To them, population density is an advantage, because in democracies, office holders emerge through voting, where the winner is determined by the highest votes.

Every serious aspirant is scrambling to gain the attention and approval of the Kano voters. But while Badaru from neighbouring Kano is keen to go into the contest, no one from amongst the nearly 20 million people in Kano state, of which close to 6 million are registered voters, has shown interest in leading Nigeria.

Is the kingmaker surrendering to the position of a knock on the head?

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Politics

200,000 APC Members in Kano Dismiss Allegations Against Ministerial Nominee Yusuf Abdullah Atta as Baseless

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Over 200,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State have dismissed allegations of incompetence against the ministerial nominee, retired Hon. Yusuf Abdullah Atta, as baseless. Some APC members in Kano believe the allegations stem from personal grudges held by a few individuals who are not legitimate members of the party.

In a statement, Mustapha Gidan Magani, the secretary of APC Kwaciri Ward, on behalf of the entire executive committee of APC Fagge Local Government Area, rejected the allegations of anti-party activities during the 2023 general election. The executives argued that those intending to submit a petition to the Senate, claiming to represent 50,000 APC members, have no legal standing to make such claims.

The APC executives from Fagge Local Government Area are prepared to counter the petition, asserting that it will have little impact on the confirmation of Atta as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development. They expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for nominating Atta, highlighting his administrative skills and dedication to serving humanity.

 

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Politics

PDP Youth Activist Calls for Suspension of Shekarau, Bello Hayatu from the party

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Salisu Usman Karaskabuli, a youth activist of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano, has called for the immediate suspension of several high-ranking party members, including former governor Ibrahim Shekarau, Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, and Yahaya Bagobiri.

He accused them of sabotaging the party’s efforts in the state and hindering PDP’s progress in the region.

Addressing journalists in Kano, Salisu Karaskabuli alleged that Shekarau has engaged in anti-party activities during the 2023 governorship election.
“Despite being a PDP leader, the majority of his supporters backed the APC candidate,” Salisu Karaskabuli said.
He further claimed that Shekarau is already mobilizing his supporters to work for Senator Barau’s governorship ambitions in 2027, signaling ongoing disloyalty.

Salisu Karaskabuli also blamed the PDP National Vice Chairman for the Northwest Bello Hayatu Gwarzo for failing to unite the party across the region.
He noted that prominent PDP members, such as former governors Ibrahim Shema of Katsina and Ramalan Yero of Kaduna, had defected to other parties due to Gwarzo’s ineffective leadership.
Concerning the recent PDP congress in Kano, Usman expressed frustration, rejecting the outcomes of the ward, local government, and state congresses.
He accused the leadership of the party for partisan zoning and disqualifying candidates without valid reasons.

Further accusations were leveled at Yahaya Bagobiri, the chairman of PDP elders in Kano.
Salisu Usman claimed that Bagobiri had leaked sensitive party information to the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Usman Karaskabuli called on the national leadership of the PDP to investigate the accused members and, if found guilty, take appropriate disciplinary action.

The accusations come at a time when the PDP in Kano and the wider Northwest is grappling with internal divisions, which some fear could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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APC Youth Activist Urges President Tinubu to Appoint Murtala Sule Garo as Minister

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Sadiq Ali Sango

 

Sadiq Ali Sango, a prominent youth activist of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider appointing Murtala Sule Garo as a minister in the forthcoming cabinet reshuffle.
Sango made this known in a statement released to journalists in Kano.

The Federal Government recently announced that President Tinubu would soon reshuffle his cabinet, sparking widespread speculation over potential new appointees.
Sango expressed optimism that Garo, a grassroots politician with a proven track record, would be a fitting choice for a ministerial position.

“Murtala Sule Garo is not only a politician but a true son of the soil, with immense contributions to the APC in Kano,” Sango stated.
“His service as the APC’s deputy gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 election and his unwavering commitment to the party despite not having the reins of government in Kano makes him the ideal candidate for Tinubu’s cabinet.”

Sango further highlighted Garo’s role in holding the party together during difficult times, describing him as the “supporting pillar” of the APC in Kano.
“He has carried the party on his shoulders, providing support to party leaders and members alike,” he added.

With the APC no longer in control of Kano State’s government, Garo’s influence at the grassroots level has been pivotal for the party’s continued strength in the region.
According to Sango, Garo’s appointment would reinforce the party’s position in Kano and contribute to the success of President Tinubu’s administration.

The call for Murtala Sule Garo’s inclusion in the Federal Executive Council comes amid growing anticipation regarding the composition of the new cabinet and the need for strong political figures to represent Kano at the national level.

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