By Abba Anwar
This piece reflects on the opinions and arguments surrounding the survival strategy of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano state beyond 2027. Many moves, employed strategies, conspiracy theories and political calculations are, but build ups to 2027.
Believe it or not, APC is still a force to be reckoned with in Kano. Whether Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is a National Chairman of the party or not, his consolidation of solid foundation when he captained the affairs of the party for Eight consecutive years as a governor, gives the party a life saving effort, which it still enjoys.
Fragmentation is still in view within the purview of party structures as embedded in the hearts of some party members. And potential members joining the party with genuine intention, as time passes by.
As many envisage, APC’s victory in Kano hangs on the neck of who becomes its gubernatorial flagbearer and his running mate, how candidates are filled in other positions come 2027. Among other factors.
Whether Gawuna /Garo ticket is still relevant or not, only time can tell. Gawuna’s good faith in Allah’s decision during the electioneering campaign up to the election period, in 2023, meant a lot in the victory of the party. That was later scuttled by other conspiracy theories.
His relationship with people when he was Chairman Nasarawa local government reminded many to support his cause. I’m not looking at the local intrigues he faced from his local government.
While Garo’s kind hearted, apart from his trust in Allah’s decision also (as a Muslim, Mu’umin for that matter), his known contributions to human development, who sees man as the centre of development, his sharp political strategy and his style of leadership, when he was Chairman of Kabo local government, among other factors, played important role in the party’s victory, which was later scuttled by other interests in 2023 elections.
For the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin, who for sometimes now, runs helter-skelter struggling for relevance to, according to many opinions, get gubernatorial ticket come 2027, is being paired with Senator Kawu Sumaila. To have Barau /Kawu ticket. Though Kawu is still within the fold of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
As it is now, is only a projection of what can be brought to the limelight. Kawu is indeed a force to be reckon with, in Kano South. No matter from whichever angle you are looking at the prism, Kawu Ba Kanwar Lasa Ba Ne in Kano South.
That is why some people are of the opinion that, Barau/Kawu ticket can make a difference. According to such opinion, Barau’s position as DSP, and Kawu’s political ingenuity, could make comfortable landing for APC come 2027.
These are only views expressed by people within and outside the rank of the party, APC. As related to Gawuna /Garo ticket and Barau/Kawu ticket. And let’s look at Gawuna, Garo, Barau and Kawu in their individual capacities and capabilities.
Gawuna’s great asset, for example, is his turning of all experiences, setbacks and examined opportunities to Almighty Allah.
I’m not interested in some expressed opinions about his direct relationship with his constituency and the issue of those who surround him, from the beginning to date.
Garo’s political asset is his genuine concern about what affects people with the aim of reinforcing them. He means acceptance when he says “yes.” He is not slippery in his words and actions. He too, as a Muslim, he believes Allah controls everything he faces in life.
I’m not also interested in an opinion expressed by some, that he is no longer accessible. For this I refer my reader to an article written by one Labaran Dantala, recently, captioned, “Garo, Still Available, Accessible.”
For Barau, his great asset goes to what he was able to bring to the state, using his position as Deputy Senate President, for re-approving Federal College of Education (FCE), Kano, to Federal University of Education and the creation of North West Development Commission. He too believes, Allah controls everything.
I do not care to look at his miscalculation of accepting cross-carpeters from, especially, Kwankwasiyya faction of NNPP. Who later go back to their roots. His inability to learn lesson from the then Gawuna’s Tsamar Nama operation. I do not also have any interest in what party people blame him of. That is abandoning party members and concentrating on new comers, who add no value to his political ambition.
Kawu’s greatest asset, is his wealth of experience in Kano South political history and politicking. Aramma Kawu as some address him, knows the Power of Allah in controlling everything in life and beyond.
I do not want make any comment about his ferocious postulations when it comes to politics. But some still see this as another great asset for a politician. His membership of NNPP isn’t my area of interest here. So also his being surrounded by ‘Yan Birni is not in my shopping list.
For APC to bounce back stronger and domineering, it is important to look at some handful few legislators, who, by all estimation, do more than expected.
The first and foremost person in this category is Hon Abubakar Kabir Bichi. Chairman House Committee on Appropriation. This is a gentleman who always believes in his constituency first. While doing that, he doesn’t go for other opposition party members. He, instead, takes all along.
Hon Bichi’s strategy of not embracing members of the opposition parties at the detriment of his own party members, earns him greater respect and relevance, more than the Senator representing his area. In clear terms, Hon Bichi is more powerful, in whatever estimation you can see it, than Senator Barau from that end.
Bichi according to the opinions I came across, is not eyeing to become a governor. But his strategy seems to be working far better than Barau who has been eyeing to become a governor.
More Bichis in APC means more chances for the party. Just similar to Garo, Bichi has strong home-based support from his Senatorial district. Garo enjoys such support from across the state. Bichi like Garo has never been a slippery type. He takes and speaks what he can accomplish. Not minding whose ox is gored.
To tame fragmentation at whatever length and by anticipating how hazy the environment could be, some notable youth formed themselves and become a Coalition of Youth within APC. This group did well in reawakening party members on their primary responsibilities.
It is not the interest of this write – up to create confusion where there is none, concerning the primary objective of the Coalition. Mine is just to appreciate the commitment, genuine purpose and open door direction of the Coalition. At the initial stage, I didn’t see them as an amalgamation of value addition elements. But as time passes by, I see hope and strength in them.
Notable among such youth, whose presence serves as beacon of hope are, Adamu Unguwar Gini, Musaddique Wada Waziri, Jijitar, Hon Ja’o’ji, Hon Maiwayo, Danyaro, M. Abdussalam Ishaq (Kumbotso) and even that boy Dini Manchester, among many others, who are numerous to be mentioned here.
I re-assured and re-confirmed to myself that, this engaging Coalition has little or no intention to wreck havoc in the party because of their self – centred interest. Though political activities are always not-interest-free. I doff my hat to them because, nowhere I heard them making disturbing noises as a group so far. Either to the leadership or to the followership. Yes, they have their shortcomings. But for now such does not becloud their immense contributions as re-awakening agents for youth movement.
My view on other dark horse(s) is built upon people’s opinion that, apart from Gawuna /Garo ticket or Gawuna as individual and Garo as individual, Barau/Kawu ticket (if that works), or Barau as an individual or Kawu as an individual, there could emerge a scenario where someone somewhere can just come from the blues and picks the ticket. That, to me, is very unlikely. Though nothing is impossible in politics.
Whether or not APC remains as one indivisible political party come 2027, in Kano, the National Chairman of the party, Dr Ganduje has all it takes to ameliorate, align and realign all existing forces within the party in the state.
As I’m rounding up, I vehemently disagree with handful few opinions, suggesting that, Barau is wasting his time, so long as he thinks he can outshine Baba Ganduje in the scheme of things. If it is true Barau is thinking along that line, I advise him to backslide. Because the situation could be dicey and deceiving.
This piece is not looking at the party leadership, at all levels. From Ward up to state level. Party management is not within the purview of this brief work. This write-up looks at the general opinions of people concerning APC’s victory come 2027 elections. I do not even care to also look at the opposition parties.
Abba Anwar,
Former Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State,
2018-2023
Can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com
