By Abba Anwar

Whether or not those joining All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano state, through Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin CFR, are doing that with genuine mind and valid reason, the fact remains, that, political opposition and politicking are becoming lively day in day out, in the state.

The recent hues and cries shaping party cross carpeting, with particular reference to the DSP’s engagement with Kwankwasiyya followers, Kannywood elements and some identified TikTokers is on increase in the state. Both freedom of expression and freedom of choice at play.

Believe it or not, one cannot separate Barau and APC in this political engagement. Those changing party membership under Barau, are changing to APC ultimately, not to Barau. Because the institution is the party, APC, not Barau.

It is clear to all that, Barau is positioning himself against 2027 Kano Project. That in itself isn’t a political sin. If his target is Kano, as a political space, his feats achieved within a specified period of time, go beyond Kano. Not to talk of his primary constituency, Kano North Senatorial District.

Let me say this, before now, I faulted Barau’s strategy for welcoming political opponents, Kwankwasiyya followers especially. Arguing that, what was the wisdom behind welcoming someone today, who could reverse back to where he exited, in few days time

I later realized that, as some Kwankwasiyya elements use Barau as an entry point, it was revealed openly to the Deputy Senate President, that, some of those coming to APC through him, were planted as moles for the opposition. With this, he pays back to them, using “repentant elements,” as paid agents within the opposition circle.

Reason for one-touch strategy, as I blamed him the other time. (laughter).

So it is now not very clear whether those making u-turn after taking “oath” before Barau, are genuinely going back to where they started, Kwankwasiyya, in this context. The same thing applies to Kannywood elements, artistes and TikTokers.

But what interests onlookers most, is his indifferent behavior about all the hues and cries. Which, to me, it appears like he is acting a particular script by accepting opposition elements into APC. Whose script and from where? Such questions remain unanswered.

I am envisaging that some big shots are making their wave to Barau, as an entry point. This time around, it is not the issue of Kannywood actors /actress, or artistes or other similar individuals. People of greater substance and relevance by all political standard. Ours is to wait and see.

But let me assure my readers that, when that situation comes its natural way, more storm will overwhelm APC opponents in Kano, and elsewhere by extension. So who is calling the shot?

Some people argue that, among all those with positions from Kano state, either elected or appointed, with the exception of the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON, – who, by constitutional provision, cannot vie for Kano governorship position again – Barau stands better chance.

As an addendum also, you cannot compare Barau with the current governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, in terms of productivity, creative mind, political experience, exposure, charisma, intellectual sagacity, public presentation, public relations, domineering posture, independent mind and action, enhanced interpretation of political engagement and unwavering loyalty and support to party ideals and manifesto.

Without fear of mincing words, I can say, Barau can make a good governor than the current governor of our dear state, Yusuf. I am just being scientific. Just compare their achievements so far in the state. Though, Barau coming from the legislative arm, but his interventions, real interventions, to the lives of ordinary Kano man, are unmatched. Compared to that of the governor. Yes the governor.

But the way I see it, is this, if achievements are the yardstick for measuring one’s political chances, to me, Barau’s relevance goes beyond Kano, or merely his primary constituency, Kano North. I stand to be corrected. If one’s achieved feats are indices, I bet my position.

To me, if Kwankwasiyya’s cross carpeting, through the entry point, Barau, is reversible, as some of them provided that explanation, by their action, there is nothing extraordinary when Kannywood people alongside TikTokers, follow suit.

Take it or leave it, Barau’s visibility in Kano political space, is something not to be taken for granted. The ploy upon ploy smuggle into the threshold of political engagement in the state, are enough reasons to explain to you that, Barau is not a political dummy. Neither an inexperienced political flagship. Someone with the highest position in the National Assembly, from North West,with the exception of Kaduna, that produces Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Anwar, was Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON and can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com

Atiku is the only strong opposition leader in Nigeria so far. He was a vice president for 8 years and a successful businessman in active politics in the last 3 decades. He contested for election by appearing on the ballot 3 times. He did it in 2007, 2019, and 2023. He aspired for the office of the president in 1992, 2003, 2011, and 2015.

He’s the only opposition leader with the capacity to unify this country, a nationalist to the core, Pan Nigerian, and advocate for restructuring. Nobody will deny these attributes on him.

Tell me any strong opposition leader in Nigeria apart from Atiku? Obi fought a good fight out of ethnicity and bigotry but Atiku fought his fight out of nationalism not because he is from the North or a muslim but because of his patriotism to govern this country and bring the desired change. He didn’t hide under ethnicity or religion like other candidates do.

Atiku has built bridges across the country. If the Igbo’s will come and work together with Waziri, he will definitely be a stepping stone for an igbo presidency as he always said: Power is negotiable.You don’t fight for it.

Despite the fact that the votes were splitted and rigged, Waziri was able to beat Obi, Kwankwaso, and came second in the most fraudulent election since the return to democracy in 1999.

Atiku still has a good chance at 76. Raila Odinga contested for election at 81, Joe Biden is currently 80. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu should be around that age, too, as nobody is aware of his real age.

Age should not be an obstacle to contest for election. It’s all about a candidate who has the ability and capacity to bring the needed results.

Atiku is the only opposition leader who can lead and restructure this country. This should not be his last shot, as others are saying. He should give it a try again.

President Muhammadu Buhari contested for election 4 times, he lost all the 3 and won in his 4th attempt. Those asking Waziri to forget about contesting again are doing a disservice to this nation.

Many world leaders are in their 80’s. That doesn’t stop them from doing great things.

I’m optimistic that Waziri will get his stolen mandate at the Supreme Court. If otherwise, he should contest again as Nigeria and Nigerians need him more.

Adnan Mukhtar Tudunwada is a political PR consultant, university lecturer, and media assistant at Atiku Campaign Office in Kano.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Since the flame war began between the Tinubu led APC and Mallam El-rufai, the former’s camp has been experiencing sleepless nights. And since those employed, officially, to tackle such issues–if any arises–are obviously not up to the task, the renowned opportunist of our time–Reno Omokri–has, obviously, agreed to display his mercenary skill sets in their defense.

But then, it has been confirmed that even their so called Mercenary is not also up to the task. In his usual cunning manner of presenting issues to the gullible ones amongst us, Reno Omokri has presented some points against Mallam Nasir El-rufai of which, this piece is serving as a rejoinder to all those malicious claims.

Firstly, amongst his claims is the narrative that El-rufai is wailing because he was denied being made a minister under the administration of Tinubu due to his inability to secure a security clearance. Stating that issues like the crisis which went on almost everyday in the southern region of Kaduna State is considered to be a handwork of El-rufai.

To refute this claim and then make it explicit how Reno is a confused human being with an amnesia problem, it’s on the record that the southern Kaduna crisis started way longer before El-rufai assumed office as the governor of the state. In his words: “please, fact check me.”

When Namadi Sambo was picked as the vice president by the then president Goodluck Jonathan after the death of Umaru Musa Yar’adua in May, 2010, Patrick Yakowa–who was the deputy governor to Namadi Sambo–automatically became the governor of the state. This development was what brought the said crisis to the state. The Muslims were not comfortable with the fact that a Christian was the governor of the state, hence the rift and crisis between the regions in the state.

The crisis escalated even more after the late Yakowa contested against a CPC candidate, Haruna Sae’ed and won with a slight difference in the numbers of the votes in the 2011 gubernatorial election. A year and some months later, he was involved in an aircraft crash and died at the spot. These aforementioned developments were the origins of the crisis which Reno is faulting El-rufai who became governor of the state some years later for.

And for the fact that the crisis is still ongoing in the present administration of Uba Sani shows that the attack is personal and out of jealousy. They hope that, with the tarnishing of image tactics which they have employed against El-rufai, whatever plans he has against them coming 2027 will die.

Secondly, Reno also accused El-rufai as the one who carried out the Shi’ites massacre that happened in December, 2015. If not one who suffers from amnesia, who doesn’t know that it was the Nigerian Army that carried out the operation in 2015? But because Reno is a shameless opportunist who thinks with his anus, the incident is now attributed to the government of El-rufai.

The honest revelation of the scenario was that the Shi’ites movement blocked roads in Zaria, stopping anyone from using the roads because they were performing some of their rituals. The ugly situation surfaced when they tried the stupidity with the then Chief of Army Staff–major general Buratai Tukur.

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Army then revealed that an assassination attempt on the life of Tukur Buratai was their reason for the brutal retaliation against the members of the movement and then the subsequent capture of their leader, Zakzaky. How does this narration concern El-rufai who even established a State Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the incident?

Thirdly, he also made mention of the demolitions carried out by El-rufai as part of the reasons why he couldn’t secure the security clearance. And I ask: the same demolition of houses and mosque which Wike carried out in Rivers State and then secured a security clearance to be part of Tinubu’s administration?

Moreover, all the demolitions carried out by the administration of El-rufai had moral justification. For instance, the demolition of the house which was kept for a sex party by some morally deteriorated human beings in the state is justifiable. Such morally bankrupt activities must not take place in the home of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the late Sadauna. No demolition was carried out without the Kaduna State Urban and Development Agency giving reasons for such action.

The fact remains that, the president changed his mind along the line and didn’t want El-rufai in his government for reasons best known to him. If it was because of inability to secure the security clearance, how come the likes of Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state got nominated and passed the security screening? An average Nigerian knows that Bello Matawalle championed bandits operation in the state during his tenure as it was alleged by even the bandits lord–Bello Turji, and the present governor of the state, Dauda Lawal.

It’s also imperative for Nigerians to take note of the fact that the power issue in the country isn’t ordinary. As stated by El-rufai on Arise tv during his recent interview, president Tinubu gave him a challenge to fix the power issue of the country and he gladly accepted it because, accepting a challenge and conquering it has become his hubby.

If we all could recall, during his presentation at the National Assembly, El-rufai pointed out the problems imbedded in the ministry and how he intended to providing a lasting solutions to them. One who can decipher should understand that the cabals in that ministry are the ones against his nomination. And, to obey to the agreement, the president had to let them have their say. Had El-rufai been allowed into that ministry, all hell would have been let loose by now. They know the kind of person he is and that’s why he was stopped.

Reno Omokri is actually the one crying because El-rufai relieved him off the duty of handling his Facebook page while he was the FCT minister. He has been at loggerheads with El-rufai ever since then. Plus, his newly found job with the Renewed hope gangs, PR consultants, El-rufai must not rest. But he should be aware that the likes of us will always be around and ready to keep him on his toes whenever he mentions El-rufai’s name.

The same Reno who described Tinubu as a bad product that the APC wanted to sell to Nigerians. Same he who described the president as an indecisive person and shouldn’t be made president. The same mealy-mouthed Reno who tagged the APC government as one that has increased the poverty rate in Nigeria. The same so called Gospeller who went to organize a protest against Tinubu at the Chatham house in London. He is the same person they employed to defend them now and he accepted because he has no other means of earning than the PR consultancy scheme.