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2023 Presidential Elections and the Battle Between Two Categories of Northern Elders

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_ By Ibraheem A.Waziri

1. Every election season in Nigeria, comes with its provoking premises and issues! This time around, apart from the usual North and South, Muslims and Christians divides that are often, most prominent than party affiliations; a new dynamic which has not yet caught public attention, has been added up to the mix. The struggle to maintain relevance between two different categories of Northern eldership or leadership. These two categories, in the realm, are separated primarily by the order of generational cohort (GC) in age!

2. Falling back to the scholars in anthropology, we learn that a GC is usually pegged at 15-20 years. All persons born within such intervals are regarded to more or less, belong to the same groupings defined by same circumstances; social, economic, cultural events, and would likely share some core elements in perspectives, tastes and life preferences.

3. Since the completion of the taking over of Northern Nigeria by the British in 1903, a generation of who will eventually become Nigerians, from the territory, began to be given birth to, that same year. Therefore the first generational cohorts (GC) of Northern Nigerians can be said to be those born between 1903 and 1919. That is if the mode at which boys usually reach puberty is considered as the norm to be 16 years!

4. The second GC came between 1919-35. The third was between 1936-51. This GC is the one that did 1967 military counter coup and prosecuted the then Nigerian civil war from the Northern Nigerian side and led by 2nd GC member, General Yakubu Gowon as Head of Nigerian state.

5. One can be right to say that the 3rd GC of Northern Nigerians has been influencing, politics and governance policy not only in the North but in Nigeria, since that time till the present! The politicians among them, intellectuals and business owners have been holding the region at its nape!

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6.After the 2019 elections, some pundits among us have been harping about the fate of the North come 2023; being it obvious that the 3rd GC are threatened by senesces and therefore are very weak. The assumption is they will reach a consensus among themselves to identify able group of successors that they could handover the affairs of thè North and fade themselves into retirement; having put in their best for about 57 years now! The longest any GC have been there and probably would ever be.

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7 None of us thought that the successor cohort, the 4th GC, born between 1952-67, will need to necessarily put up a fight to dislodge the 3rd GC from the power circle ànd forcefully take over like what is happening now in the ruling party.

8. However, since the statement made in Abeakuta on the 25th of January, 2023, in a campaign rally, by Asiwàju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressive Congress’ (APC) party presidential candidate; to the effect that there are saboteurs in the Presidency – which ironically is occupied by his party – who are against his emergence as winner of the 2023 presidential Elections slated to hold 25th of February, 2023.

9.Bola Ahmed Tinubu, though a Southerner, enjoys the support of the 14 of the 19 Northern Governors, who are from the ruling party. 11 of them also belong to 4th GC. 1 belongs (Borno State) to 5th GC.

*10. Kaduna State Governor, an outspoken element among them, has granted series of interviews on the 1st and 2nd February 2023. To a number of media Houses including BBC, TVC, in both Hausa and English, implying that, some 3rd GC Northern influencers around President Muhammadu Buhari ( who is himself a member of thè same cohort), as plotting to work against their candidate! By following other means take sure a member of the 3rd GC, Atiku Abubakar of the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP) and a Northerner, emerges as the winner of the 2023 presidential Elections!

11. The ultimate question now, apparently, is whether, the people in the North will agree to prolong the tenure of leadership and eldership of the 3rd GC Northerners, adding another 8 years to their 57 years, making it 65 long years. Or in the alternative, they want to handover the realms of their leadership and eldership to the 4th GC Northerners; to bring their own uniqueness unto the table early enough.

12. What is obvious is the 4th GC Northerners, who were born during the years building up to the civil war to its end, have different perspectives and arguments about how Northerners should see themselves and live with their neighbours in Nigeria. They don’t view Southerners with the kind of suspicion the 3rd GC Northerners think of them. It is why in the first place they would resolve to fulfill the unwritten agreement of power shift to the South in 2023.

13. Some members of the 5th GC of Northerners, either, those born between 1968-83, would appreciate seeing a new perspective taking control of the space and atmosphere of Northern Nigeria come 25th February 2023. It will guarantee an experiment with fresher perspectives that are sure catalyst to positive change and comprehensive progress not the one same old perspective that has dominated the space for 57 years.

14. Also it is only when the 4th GC Northerners move a little higher in the ladder, that the 5th GC Northerners, post civil war generation, will enjoy certain degree of influence at some social plane. The same thing with the 6th GC Northerners, born between 1984-1998, military rule generation. Also the 7th GC Northerners, born between 1999 – 2015, Fourth Republic, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rule generation. Each movement on the ladder creates opportunities of growth and stability for others to play their role and display their God given talent for the benefits of all.

15. These, can be among reasons why the majority of Northern Nigerians would consider lending their support to the 4th GC Northern leaders, in their bid to take control now. Politicians and bureaucrats like Elrufai, intellectuals and opinion leaders like Dr. Aliyu Tilde, Mahmud Jega; Abdulaziz Abdulaziz of the 5th GC and a host of other businessmen and religious leaders, deserve this chance to move us to another level of life changing perspective with Asiwàju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Nigerian leadership come 25th February, 2023!

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.”

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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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