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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.

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”.

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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

Kabiru Rurum’s Vanishing Act: What’s Behind?

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By Adamu Aminu.

The sudden silence of Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, federal representative of Rano/Kibiya/Bunkure, has sparked intense speculation in Kano’s political circles. His absence from NNPP events and gatherings has raised eyebrows, fueling whispers of a rift within the party. As a prominent figure in Kano South’s political syndicate, alongside Senator Kawu Sumaila, Hon. Abdulmuminu Jibrin Kofa, and Hon. Sani Rogo, Rurum’s disappearance from the political scene is a curious phenomenon.

Reliable sources reveal that Rurum, along with his Kano South colleagues, played a crucial role in the NNPP’s gubernatorial victory, which saw Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf emerge as the winner. This marked a historic first for the Kwankwasiyya movement in Kano South.

However, following the victory, the Kano South political gladiators felt their demands were neglected, despite their significant contributions. They had requested the Secretary of the State Government position, which was denied, and later sought the speakership of the Kano State House of Assembly, which was also turned down.

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Even the speaker was picked without consulting Rurum, Kawu Sumaila, and other stakeholders in the zone.

Moreover, they have not been carried along in all the appointments made so far by the Governor, including the recent appointments of Local Government caretaker committees and their councillors.

The perceived disregard for their demands has reportedly led to Rurum’s disillusionment and withdrawal from active participation in party affairs.

Furthermore, the controversial disbandment of the five emirates created by former Governor Ganduje, despite Rurum’s earlier assurances from Governor Yusuf that they would remain untouched, has added fuel to the fire.

Rurum’s vanishing act has left many wondering if this is a tactical move or a sign of deeper issues within the party. As the proverb goes, “a tree does not move unless its roots are disturbed.” It appears that Rurum’s roots have been disturbed, and the consequences of this disturbance are yet to be fully understood.

In conclusion, Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum’s sudden absence from Kano’s NNPP political scene has raised important questions about the party’s internal dynamics and the fate of its key players.

As the situation unfolds, one thing is certain – the roots of Rurum’s vanishing act will continue to be a subject of intense scrutiny and speculation in Kano’s political circles.

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Politics

Northern Politicians’ Eid Homage to Buhari: A Veiled Plot for 2027 Power Grab?-Sani

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Senator Shehu Sani

 

Shehu Sani

The recent visits by some prominent Northern politicians to Daura appears to be the Usual Eid homage,but looking deeper and beyond the facade,it’s surreptitiously a new attempt to build a strong northern alliance using ex President Buhari as a rallying point to challenge and evict President Tinubu’s Government in 2027.It’s a regrouping of Northern political forces for the next general election.A project that will eventually kiss the dust.

They want to resurrect Buhari’s political charm and mobilise the gullible.Thesame Buhari that led Nigeria for eight years and left the North Worst than he met it.Its too early to forget.By the time he left power,poverty and insecurity was at its peak than at anytime in Nigeria’s history.They had power and wasted it;what do they want to do with it again?.

A Southerner is in power just for one year.Its too early for the desperate and power hungry northern elite to start plotting.The south never did that to Buhari.Their intended action has the capacity of ruining the democratic process and wrecking the fragile unity of the country when the south is awakened to this reality.

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Their obsession with power is condemnable.Opposition to Tinubu from the point of policies,promises and programs of his administration is a democratic right of any Nigerian.People have the right to speak and criticize the Government.But attempts to whip up Northern sentiments to achieve their political ends is a dangerous political experiment and expedition at this material time.No serious southerner challenged Buhari for eight years;these power drunk Northern politicians are dragging the region to a new political journey through a land mine.

Buhari’s reign ensured nepotistical placement,installation and dominance of Northerners at strategic position of authority and power for eight years.Results had shown that they only enriched themselves,pillaged the economy of the country and pauperised our country.
The Daura homage of the disgruntled and the obsessed will fail.Our people in the North should reject this faces and their plots.They have nothing to offer.From the abandoned Baro Port,Ajaokuta,Lake Chad basin refiling and Mambilla hydro power,they failed.They came to power when the North was in the hands of terrorists and left it in the joint hands of terrorists and Bandits.The Northern Talakawa should reject their antics.

Shehu Sani is a former senator and a human right activist

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Politics

Staying Loyal: Key to Winning Elections in Nigeria-Reno Omokri

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Obasanjo ,Yaradua and Jonathan during the May 29 2007 handover to President Yaradua

Reno Omokri

If you want to win an election in Nigeria, you can’t jump from party to party. Nobody who has done that has ever won an election at the centre in Nigeria from our amalgamation by the British in 1914 to now. Nobody! You can do so at the regional and state level, especially where your region has ethnic homogeneity. But in a pluralistic federation, you are toast if you do that.

Only those who have remained loyal to their parties have ever won elections as Presidents or Prime Ministers in Nigeria. Your party can go into coalition and merger with another party, or it can change its name and your reputation will remain intact. But when you leave your party to join another party, the people also leave you.

No matter what happens within your party, stay there and resolve the situation. Assert yourself th amere. Go from battleground to common ground. If you cannot lead your party out of a crisis, you will not be able to convince non-tribal critical thinking voters that you can lead the country out of crisis.

Tafawa Balewa was a member of the Northern Peoples Congress. He never changed parties. Shagari was a member of the National Party of Nigeria, which was an offshoot of the Northern Peoples Congress. He never changed parties.

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Obasanjo, Yar’adua and Jonathan were members of the Peoples Democratic Party. They never changed parties.

Buhari was a member of the All Peoples Party, which later changed its name to the All Nigeria Peoples Party. The party eventually split, and Buhari went with the Congress for Progressive Change, which, in 2013, merged with other parties to form the All Progressives Congress.

Tinubu was a member of the Social Democratic Party, which was dissolved by Abacha in 1993. Following this, he helped found the Alliance for Democracy, which merged with other parties to form the Action Congress of Nigeria in 2006. The ACN merged with other parties to form the APC in 2013.

Nigerian Politicians should learn from history. The best predictor of the future is the past. Between now and 2027, any politician who leaves his party for another party, except where there is a merger, is just wasting his time and money if he contests for the Presidency.

A country struggling with political stability cannot afford a leader who also struggles with his own mental and political stability.

Sadly, in Nigeria, to leave your party in Presidential politics is to live in pity as a perennial candidate!

Reno Omokri is a former Adviser to President Jonathan

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