By Kabir Mamman Sani

Very soon, Kano’s political landscape will realign, when the State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf finally join the All Progressive Congress (APC).
When this finally happened, the governor will need a “perfect pair” to keep his stride steady, particularly when the current Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam decided not to defect along with him.
Governor Abba Kabir, now in his 63rd year and over two years into office, has already set a pace of urgency, restoration, and a “New Kano” vision.
For the State to sustain that momentum, pairing him with a deputy who can match his stride — like Hon. Murtala Sule Garo will certainly justify the political realignment.
In leadership, a governor and his deputy are like a well‑crafted pair of walking shoes: one provides direction, the other offers support, and together they traverse any terrain. The left shoe (the governor) charts the course, while the right shoe (the deputy) absorbs shock, maintains balance, and keeps the journey comfortable. Their synergy translates into stability, inclusive governance, and relentless progress for Kano.

For so many reasons, Hon. Murtala Sule Garo fits the right shoe. He is from the Kano North Senatorial Zone where the deputy governor position was zoned.
He has grassroots credibility. As a former Commissioner for Local Government, he has built a reputation for accessibility and for managing people and resources at the community level.
Hon. Murtala, is a bridge‑builder. He can link the NNPP’s existing structures with the APC’s broader network, easing the anticipated party switch and creating a cohesive environment for policy execution.

As a grassroots mobilizer, particularly in a state known for political vibrancy, Murtala Sule Garo will play a stabilizer role. His ability to rally wards, councils, and youth groups and turn political apathy into active participation, boosting voter turnout and civic engagement, is assured.

What can this pair deliver?
Stability from the ground up – a olid foundation of local support prevents “small tremors from becoming structural crises,” as analyst Dr. Elena Vance notes, hence with Hon. Murtala Sule Garo providing a buffer to the Governor, political stability will ensue.
The pair is capable of further accelerating development in the State – With the ongoing projects in water supply, agricultural subsidies, and digital transformation, the governor’s ambitious blueprint gains a reliable executor.
Moreover, Murtala’s inclusive approach to governance will further open doors to traditional rulers, youth groups, and private investors fostering collective ownership of Kano’s progress. Hon. Murtala Sule Garo will lock in that trajectory, ensuring the administration’s plans endure and citizens feel the comfort of steady, balanced leadership.

Governor Yusuf’s achievements in urban renewal, educational reform, healthcare expansion, and infrastructure upgrades—have already earned him a reputation as one of the state’s most effective leaders. Pairing him with Murtala Sule Garo will be the best way forward for the State.

Just as a good pair of walking shoes carries a traveler forward with confidence, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Deputy Murtala Sule Garo can lead Kano on a successful, step‑by‑step journey—comfortable, supportive, and balanced for every stakeholder.

Kabir Mamman Sani, a political analyst write from Minjibir

Sageer Ahmad

It didn’t come to us as a surprise when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the appointment of General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.) as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence.

Indeed the president’s decision signals a deliberate effort to align experience with strategy at a time when national security remains a critical concern for every well-meaning Nigerian. No doubt, Nigeria and Nigerians have had it very rough in recent years and the deserving testimonies the nation received on the choice of CG Musa is adequate enough to tell the world that CG Musa is equal to the task.

A veteran officer with decades of distinguished service to the well-being of Nigeria, his appointment as a minister brings to the Defence Ministry a deep understanding of Nigeria’s security environment and a calculative and systematic approach to a sustainable solution to the lingering security issues. Without being sentimental, his emergence as Defence Minister reflects the Federal Government’s resolve to strengthen policy direction, improve coordination among security agencies and reinforce public confidence in the country’s defence institutions.

As a professional shaped by years of frontline command and strategic leadership, Nigerians now believe the country is widely regarded within military and policy circles, as a country at the verge of overcoming its travails. His records have shown that over the course of his career, he played key roles in counter-insurgency and internal security operations, particularly in areas affected by terrorism, banditry and communal violence. His experience cuts across field operations and high-level defence planning, giving him a balanced grasp of both tactical realities and policy demands, for a better country.

Before his appointment, Musa served at the highest level of Nigeria’s military leadership, where he oversaw joint operations involving the Army, Navy and Air Force. His tenure was marked by a strong emphasis on inter-service cooperation, intelligence-driven operations and improved welfare for personnel.

His appointment came at a critical time that the nation is in dire need of peace and Nigerians have no doubt that CG Musa will steady but surely give Nigerians the needed peace. A straightforward personality with a complete sense of responsibility and commitment to national security, he is an exact example of a responsible and responsive security administrator.

Barely weeks after assuming office, Minister CG Musa began by setting a clear tone for the country’s security direction and recording early ministerial milestones anchored on coordination, professionalism and decisive action against insecurity.

Since his appointment he has moved swiftly to redefine the Ministry of Defence’s leadership posture, placing emphasis on results-driven security management rather than rhetoric. At several high-level engagements, he has publicly committed to delivering tangible improvements in national security, assuring Nigerians of the government’s resolve to reclaim communities affected by insurgency, banditry and violent crime.

However, one of CG Musa’s notable early achievements is his push for stronger inter-agency collaboration. He has consistently underscored the need for seamless cooperation among the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and internal security institutions, arguing that modern security threats require unified and intelligence-led responses. This stance has reinforced the ongoing joint operations and improved coordination among security stakeholders. Moreover, the citizens have started seeing the good impact of the calculative and decisive move of the minister.

CG Musa has further distinguished his tenure by reasserting professionalism and ethical leadership within the military by charging senior officers to uphold loyalty to the Constitution, integrity and discipline in command as well as professional conduct.

It is on record that troop welfare has also featured prominently on his agenda as he publicly emphasized that the morale and wellbeing of personnel are critical to mission success, he also pledged improved attention to logistics, equipment, healthcare and family support for service members.

As a graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy who attended several advanced military and leadership courses within and outside Nigeria, his career also includes participation in regional and multinational security initiatives, reinforcing Nigeria’s role in collective efforts to address cross-border threats in the sub-region as well as to install the nation’s dignity in the global focus.

As Defence Minister, Musa is expected to focus on defence policy coordination, military reforms, procurement oversight and the strengthening of civil-military relations. His background places him in a unique position to bridge the gap between policy formulation and operational realities, ensuring that decisions taken at the centre translate into tangible security outcomes across the country.

However, with insecurity still posing serious challenges nationwide, expectations are high and that is why we believe in the simple fact that Christopher Musa’s appointment represents a strategic recalibration that will chase the bandits, insurgents and other vices out of the country for a healthier, better and robust Nigeria of all good days.

To the bandits and the insurgents, get ready to repent or face the wrath of CG Musa, the Nigerian savior.

Sagir Ahmed writes from Kano and can be reach via email: ahmadtsagir@gmail.com

By Erika Paredes

Across Nigeria, a recurrent question among policymakers and business leaders is no longer about climate ambition, but about outcomes. What matters is whether climate action translates into households with steady power, affordable energy for businesses, and jobs for young people.

Climate capital is available, and Nigeria ranks among the top destinations for climate investors. Capital is flowing to solar grids, electric buses, flood-proof roads, and drought-resistant crops. Yet the central doubt remains whether the country has the delivery capacity to move fast enough. Success hinges not on funding alone, but on bankable projects: clear timelines, assigned roles, transparent risks, and fast approvals. When done right, paper becomes power plants.

Nigeria’s international climate engagement has not lacked ambition. Recent statements make this clear. This momentum is already visible: in 2023, the World Bank approved a USD 750 million clean energy programme to expand access for over 17.5 million Nigerians, while a separate agreement with Siemens Energy is advancing grid modernisation. This shows that well-structured projects can attract investment.

Climate finance is often seen as only about saving forests. In reality, for Nigeria, it can be a growth engine that attracts investment and creates employment at scale. Nigerian leaders are already engaging with these opportunities. When energy projects advance faster, power reaches households and businesses.
Countries that are beginning to scale climate finance successfully are not those announcing the largest targets. They are the ones strengthening the systems that turn opportunity into delivery, building confidence among investors and citizens alike. Successful top-scaler cases include Vietnam, with 17 GW of solar deployed in three years, and Chile, with 10 GW of renewables delivered through auctions and digital innovation.

Nigeria has the capacity and readiness to seize this moment. The next step is clear: shift decisively from ambition to execution, modernise and diversify project portfolios, and prioritise outcomes that Nigerians feel in their daily lives, particularly young people.

About the author: Erika Paredes is a Harvard-trained climate finance leader, former UN senior executive, and CEO of Climate Solutions for All. She has mobilised over USD 8 billion in development finance across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.