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Nigeria And The Opprobrium Over The Origin Or The Originals

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The trio of Atiku , Tinubu and Kwankwaso

 

By Bala Ibrahim.

There is a popular saying in Hausa that, “Idan kana so ka san asalin ka, to ka shiga siyasa”. Meaning, if you want to know the origin or genesis of your birth, then participate in politics. Just venture into the politics of any elective office in Nigeria, and within the twinkle of an eye, the air space would be filled with multiple versions of your biological etymology, including, if care is not taken, the secret behind your conception.

Everything about your origin, or the where about of your original credentials would become the subject of public scrutiny, simply because you have ventured into the politics of Nigeria.

No sooner than the party primaries were completed, particularly those of the ruling APC and the main opposition PDP, in which Wazirin Adamawa, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged the flag bearer of the PDP and Jagaba, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos state became the flag bearer of the APC, than a new debate began about the authentic age of the duo.

Questions commenced coming into the air space as to who is older between Atiku and Tinubu, with versions circulating like blood in the body. By their submissions, Atiku is 75 years old, while Tinubu claims he is 69 years old. But those submissions are generating a lot of opprobrium on authenticity, casting direct doubt on the original date of birth of the duo. And the reason is simple- they have ventured into the politics of Nigeria.

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In what seems like a replay of what happened in the past, another round of censure has started against Ahmed Tinubu, accusing him of the falsification of age, educational qualification and source of wealth. This is an issue that took the front burner in the time of late Chief Gani Fawehenmi, SAM,SAN, way back to when Tinubu was the governor of Lagos state. The matter was adjudicated up to the supreme court, but Tinubu would not be permitted to stay near peace, simply because he has chosen to venture into the politics of Nigeria.

Contrary to what Tinubu said about himself, a cliché is circulating in the social media, published by someone, giving something totally different from the version of the man, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The publication starts thus: “Bola Tinubu’s real name is: Yekini Amoda Ogunlere from Iragbiji Osun state. That is what is contained in his Primary and Secondary school certificates and that’s why he has refused to tender them before INEC. It also contains his real age”.

2023 And The Race And Region Of Religion

For reasons of time and space, I cannot reproduce the whole submission, but the cornerstone of his argument is that, Tinubu is fake. He is not what he claims to be. And the reason is simple- he has ventured into the politics of Nigeria.

According to this fellow, Tinubu served as a house boy with a woman ( Abibatu Mogaji) – who, adopted him for a son, and compelled her brother- a successful Lawyer- Kafaru Tinubu- to assist the struggling boy to ‘integrate’ into the illustrious Tinubu family, by transmitting into the identity of her deceased niece- Bola Tinubu; Kafaru’s first child, who was billed to travel to USA for further studies. He said, the fake Tinubu travelled with her Visa and identity to start a life for himself in America, and spent the first couple of years attending extra- mural classes to access the prerequisite preliminary qualifications, before entering into Chicago State University.

Whether true or false, such campaign of calumny or character assassination are not limited to Tinubu, it is the norm in Nigeria, provided you take the plunge of participating in politics.

In 2019, Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General of the Federation, told a Federal High court in Abuja that Atiku Abubakar is not eligible to run for president in Nigeria, asking the court to hold among others, that considering the provisions of certain sections of the constitution, and the circumstances surrounding his birth, Atiku cannot contest for the top office of Nigeria.

Although the case was thrashed and thrown out in court, shortly after his emergence as the PDP flag bearer for the 2023 presidential election, another lawyer had filled another suit at the Federal High Court Abuja, almost on similar grounds, saying Atiku Abubakar is still not constitutionally qualified to contest, because he is not a Nigerian citizen by birth.

The contention of the lawyer is that Atiku acquired his citizenship of Nigeria by virtue of the 1961 plebiscite, which integrated some people of Northern Cameroon into Nigeria as new citizens of Nigeria.

But same Atiku was the Vice President of Nigeria for 8 years, yet, he would not be allowed to stay near peace, because he has chosen to venture into the politics of Nigeria.

Sometimes last month, at a public function in Abuja, some people were seated behind me and heatedly discussing politics, with special reference to the issue of the falsification of origin or identity. In the course of the discussion, one came up with the issue of Eng. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano state, and the Presidential flag bearer of the NNPP.

The discussion was in Hausa and the guy was very authoritative, that the name Kwankwaso is an acronym for Okonkwo and Sons. According to him, Kwankwaso’s father was an Ibo man from the East, by name Okonkwo, who arrived Kano as a Railway technician, and over time, set up a Rail servicing company with the name Okonkwo and Sons Ltd. So Kwankwaso, is simply Okonkwo and Sons mispronounced, he said.

Normally, I am not a supporter of Kwankwaso in politics, but I would not permit politics to discolour History and Geography. So in anger I turned to them, and said, who amongst you is from Kano please? All answered negatively. So where did you get that information about a man whose late father was the village Head and later District Head of the same Kwankwaso, an ancient town with a good history?

I said for God’s sake, you people should stop engaging in the slander of others, simply because they took the courage to venture into politics.

In shame and the visible embarrassment, all of them quietly walked out of the hall, tail between legs, and that ended the opprobrium over the origin, and perhaps what would have led to the originals of Kwankwaso’s credentials.

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.

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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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Politics

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.

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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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