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Cabinet Reshuffle: Where is A.T. Gwarzo’s Failure and Why Tinubu Should Recant on His Sack as Minister by Adnan Mukhtar

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2 months ago

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Finally, the much anticipated cabinet reshuffle by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came, resulting in the sacking of five Ministers, appointing seven and redeploying ten.

While cabinet reshuffle is an age long strategy for maintaining leadership balance, addressing underperformance and appraising performance metrics and consolidating hold on power, the downside to a misstep may garner far reaching consequences including loss of valuable expertise and experience, disruption of ongoing projects, demotivation of performers and ultimately ridiculing government image and credibility.

Considering Nigeria’s complex political dynamics, one may excuse why so many incompetent and non performing Ministers in the Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” administration were spared, but it falls short of expectation that loyal, politically relevant and technocratically accurate Minister’s will be thrown under the bus.

For example, while in Nigeria, a Minister of State is a junior minister who assists the minister in overseeing specific department, agencies or projects within the ministry, and also coordinating with the principal minister, other ministers and key stakeholders – ensuring representation of the principal minister in various capacities, I am yet to know the failure of people like His Excellency Abdullah Tijjani Gwarzo, that will warrant him being summarily thrown under the bus.

An accomplished gentleman and astute grassroots politician who grew through the ranks from Local Government Chairman all the way to Deputy Governor, State Party Chairman and Minister and one of the rare political leaders in Kano State that has good relationship with everyone, A.T. Gwarzo’s accomplishments in his ministry of assignment is not debatable.

The man has woven experience and expertise together in repurposing his mandate in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda since his inauguration as the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development on Monday, August 21, 2023.

Together with the Honourable Minister Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, he developed a roadmap to revitalize the housing and urban development sector, leading to the formation of four reform task teams in the newly reestablished Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, which had previously been part of the Ministry of Works and Housing.

Additionally, they launched the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates program, which has begun in about thirteen states and the FCT, generating an average of 6,250 jobs per site.

H.E. A.T. Gwarzo led the ministry’s delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai in December 2023, where he delivered Nigeria’s address at the Ministerial Meeting. He also headed the country’s delegation to the African Urban Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from September 4-6, 2024.

H.E ATM Gwarzo led the country’s delegation to a bilateral meeting in Madrid Spain with NYESA VALORES CORPORATION S.A on a partnership to develop the Nigeria Social Housing program and the establishment of Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs on 8th October, 2024.

He also participated at the Munich Housing Expo in Munich, Germany, on 9-10 October where he presented the gigantic strides in the Nigerian housing sector and called for collaboration with international partners in that regard, with many international companies expressing interest to invest in the Nigerian housing and urban development sector.

He was instrumental, alongside the honourable minister Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, in bringing about the technical forum on the 2024 Review of Compensation of rates for crops and economic trees, the first in sixteen years, which sought an upward review of the rates, the forum was held on 21-22 October, 2024.

As a member of the Federal Executive Council, the Minister of State has actively participated in all council meetings over the past year. He has also represented the President at various official functions during this time.

Furthermore, he facilitated the enrollment of thousands of Kano State indigenes into the Presidential Conditional Grant Program of the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industries, and coordinated the efficient distribution of food palliatives through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

Again, I ask, with all these accomplishments and more up his sleeves, where is A.T. Gwarzo’s failure?

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Notably, H.E. A.T. Gwarzo was replaced with another candidate from Kano, even if this move is dissected through the lense of political correctness, it beggars belief how Ogun, South Western Nigeria has four Minister’s while Kano the biggest political base of the North has only two. Unless there is a “yorubanisation” undertone to this, Kano deserves the honor of having at least three ministers if not four like Ogun. The retention of A.T. Gwarzo and the addition of the new candidate. This in my opinion would have been the best option for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

While arguments of marginalisation is rife in the light of the debate that the State Minister for Housing is from Kano North where Deputy President of the Senate Barau Jibrin and APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje hails from, it is also arguable that the Jigawa ministerial nominee from Babura is from the same local government with the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, thus, where delivery, loyalty and value is requisite, such arguments cannot hold water.

Granted that Ministerial sack or cabinet reshuffle is a prerogative of the President, he owes Nigerians an explanation as to why the absence of failure is being penalised. His Special Adviser on Policy Coordination Hadiza Bala Usman aka “head girl” can do this on his behalf.

While at it, the internal working mechanisms of the President should understand that A.T. Gwarzo is not just a man representing Kano North, he is a household name that represents Kano, North West and by extension Northern Nigeria. The former ACN governorship candidate has an unrivaled acceptance in the nook and cranny of Kano and the North, so relegating his representation and value to Kano North alone is arrantly ridiculous.

This is a man who from time immemorial is always at the forefront of defending the interest of the president even to the detriment of his own interest and ambition. It is on record that the National leader of the Kwankwasiya movement in Kano, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso ferociously fought his senatorial ambition because he did the bidding of Tinubu during the APC primaries that produced Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

If one must talk about performance, as a state minister, A.T. Gwarzo is sterling in comparison to people like Ibrahim Geidam, the retained minister of police affairs.

Again I ask, where is A.T. Gwarzo’s failure and why was he affected? Even though I have it on authoritative grounds that he was removed due to sectional arguments raised by the Deputy President of the Senate, which ended up convincing President Tinubu, I like to think that his independent mind must have told him by now that he made the wrong move.

This is definitely one of the wrong calculations made by President Tinubu and he should make no mistakes about it, “Ruwa Baba” as he is popularly called is very much loved and revered by the people of Kano State. He is a grassroots politician of note whose visibility is all over Kano State not restricted to a Senatorial District.

President Tinubu can do better by appointing Yusuf Ata without sacking Abdullahi Gwarzo. For the umpteenth time, with its indisputable contribution to Tinubu’s emergence, Kano deserves the same honor as Ogun.

We therefore beseech President Tinubu to recant on Gwarzo’s sack and reconsider recalling him with immediate effect. By doing so, Tinubu will not be the first leader to recall a valuable appointee.

During World War II, Winston Churchill, Britain’s Prime Minister, sacked his trusted ally and friend, Lord Beaverbrook, from his position as Minister of Aircraft Production in 1941 over policy disagreement and personality clashes. Beaverbrook advocated for prioritizing aircraft production over other war efforts and his demanding nature conflicted with other cabinet members.

However, upon realising that Aircraft production declined significantly after Beaverbrook’s departure, Churchill recognized Beaverbrook’s exceptional organizational skills and leadership and 1942, Churchill reappointed Beaverbrook as Minister of Supply, leveraging his expertise.

Similarly, Napoleon Bonaparte once briefly exiled Marshal Davout during the French Revolutionary Wars due to perceived disloyalty. Recognizing Davout’s military genius, Napoleon reinstated him, leading to crucial victories.

Modern-day applications of rehiring valuable individuals can be seen in various sectors; in business, companies like Apple, Google and Microsoft have rehired former employees or executives, leveraging their expertise and institutional knowledge. Similarly, politicians like US President Joe Biden have reappointed experienced officials, such as Janet Yellen as Treasury Secretary, to tackle complex economic challenges.

This strategy fosters continuity, stability and innovation. It ensures leaders prioritize talent, expertise and results, driving success in diverse fields enabling them to acknowledge and understand the importance of surrounding themselves with valuable individuals.

It also demonstrates examples of leaders recognizing and correcting mistakes, prioritizing effectiveness over personal differences.

While Tinubu must have definitely misfired in sacking T. Gwarzo, like other great leaders of his, we urge the President to recant and re-appointed the man whose performance is largely perceived by the general public and his constituents failure of which may affect the APC’s electoral prospects in upcoming polls.

It is still not too late for the President to reverse his decision in the interest of the people and his future in the politics of Kano. I dare say, H.E. A.T. Gwarzo has no failure.

Adnan Mukhtar is a political commentator and university lecturer. He writes from Abuja.

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Opinion

Let President Tinubu Rename University of Lagos After Gowon, Not Abuja

Published

4 days ago

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December 18, 2024

By

Adnan Mukhtar Tudun Wada

 

 

Adnan Mukhtar Tudun Wada

I was not happy when Northwest University Kano was renamed to Yusuf Maitama Sule University, as student leaders of that University then, we followed the interest of the students who were also not happy with the renaming at that time for one reason; the renaming was politically motivated, to hurt the founder of the institution Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. I was busy mobilising students to protest, the next day I was invited to the DSS for questions where I spent hours and all the people we were mobilising the protest together ran and dissociated themselves from it. I have no option but to plead with the DSS to release me, assuring them that not a single student would protest the government’s action.

The renaming has affected many students who are seeking admission abroad; it’s Northwest University on my transcript and Yusuf Maitama Sule University on my certificate. This is kinda confusing and not good at all.

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Politicians should immortalise individuals in their new projects not existing ones. The renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University is not good for the university’s alumni.

The President should have found a new project or built a new University by naming it after the former Head of State.

I don’t support the idea of playing politics by renaming our universities and this happens mostly in Nigeria.

Imagine waking up renaming the University of Maiduguri to Mohammed Goni University, Yobe State University to Ibrahim Geidam University, the University of Ibadan to Abiola Ajimobi University, the University of Lagos to Lateef Jakande University.

It will be bad for the alumni of the aforementioned universities to come across this.

Why is this only happening in Africa? Look at Makerere University in Uganda, it was established in 1920 but despite Yoweri Mosevenni’s long reign; he didn’t for once attempt to change it to even his name for selfish reasons.

He didn’t think of renaming the Entebbe International Airport after him but in Nigeria, we have this culture of renaming everything after individuals.

If you want to be immortalised, leave a lasting legacy as Gowon did in establishing NYSC. That enough is Okay and better than naming an institution after him.

President Tinubu should have renamed the University of Lagos after Gowon, not Abuja. I’m sure his people will reject this not for any reason but because of the large number of people that will be affected by it.

The University of Abuja Alumni were all crying over this painful decision.

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Opinion

Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya: Champion of Civil Society and Good Governance in Northern Nigeria

Published

6 days ago

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December 16, 2024

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Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, is an influential Civil Society figure in Kano State and Northern Nigeria. He is currently serving as the Executive Director, Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), he has dedicated many years of his civil society activism as advocate for the promotion of democracy, good governance, anti-corruption, peace building and women empowerment

Amb. Waiya, holds number of academic qualifications, including a Higher National Diploma in Public Administration from Kano State Polytechnic, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Master’s in Public International Law at Maryam Abacha, American University, Maradi, and he is currently pursuing a doctor of philosophy at Skyline University, Kano in International Relations

In the course of his career, he held several positions and managed a number of projects. He served as the Director, Alhilal Foundation, from 2003 to 2007, an organization which focused on women empowerment, through basic literacy and skills acquisition. He later coordinated the North West Zonal Office of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Foundation. Amb. Ibrahim Waiya, led and coordinated a number of Local Government Councils Elections Observation missions across 19 Northern states.

In 2011, Waiya managed the Campaign against Drug Abuse under the auspices of Northern Youth Assembly, a youth driven platform with leadership structures in the Nineteen Northern States. He served as Secretary, for both, Kano State Stakeholders Committee on Anti-Drug Abuse Campaign and Kano State Stakeholders Committee on Anti-Child Abuse, a project which was coordinated by the office of the Special Adviser, Child Welfare and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. His involvement in election observation coordination missions and various public engagements, highlights his commitment to civic engagement towards community development, democracy and good governance

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Waiya’s extensive experience includes free consultancy support services to numerous Government Ministries and Agencies such as: Kano State Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Development, Kano State Ministry for Community and Rural Development, office of the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano State on Child Welfare, Ministry for Special duties, office of the special adviser, joint security services. He has facilitated numerous training workshops and seminars, impacting his knowledge, skills, experience on the community, particularly for community based organizations

In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed to several key positions, such as the President, of the Kano Civil Society Forum, Chairman of the Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks, Convener, Nigeria for Peace Project, Managing partner, United Nigeria Project, Head of Secretariat, Kano Peace Committee, Secretary General, National Action for Women Agenda,(NAWA), chairman, Board of Trustees, Northern Youth Assembly, (Majalisar Matasan Arewa) Fellow, Institute of Security and Strategic Studies, Fellow, Institute of International Peace and Secure Society, Fellow, Institute of Business Diplomacy and Financial Management, member, Commission of Inquiry on Missing persons, member, Implementation Committee, on the Recommendations of the Report of the Commission of inquiry on missing persons, member, Commission of Inquiry to investigate, various political violence and cases of missing persons, that occurred in the State from 2015 – 2023, member, Commission of inquiry to investigate protest, arson and destruction of public and private properties that occurred from 1st – 10th August, 2024 Amb. Waiya, served as Consultant on various government projects, such as: Kano State Security Trust Fund, Safe Corridor, Campaign against Drug Abuse, across the 44 Local Government Council Areas. Amb. Waiya”s active participation in peace building, policy advocacy and legislative reform has continued to impact positive change in Kano State, the North and Nigeria at large.

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Opinion

“I Transition to PR and Digital Marketing to Transform Brands Globally” – Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah

Published

7 days ago

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December 15, 2024

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As 2024 comes to a close, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah reflects on his journey from journalism to public relations (PR) and digital marketing. With over a decade of experience in media and communications, Ibrahim’s transition was fueled by a desire to empower businesses—starting with Northern Nigeria but extending globally—to build impactful narratives and achieve sustainable growth.

“Every brand, regardless of location, deserves access to the tools and expertise needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced world,” Ibrahim says. “My goal has always been to bridge the gap in strategic communication, ensuring that no business is left behind.”

From Journalism to Strategic Communication

Ibrahim’s illustrious journalism career spans over a decade, during which he served as a Senior Reporter at TVC News, covering critical developments, including the Kano State Government House for three successive administrations. His work involved breaking major news stories, producing multimedia content, and engaging audiences through digital platforms.

“I’ve always been passionate about communication, but I realized I wanted to do more than report stories—I wanted to help brands craft their own,” Ibrahim shares. “That’s what led me to pivot into PR and digital marketing.”

To equip himself for this new journey, Ibrahim pursued advanced studies, earning a Master’s in Communication Studies and a Master’s in Public Relations from Bayero University, Kano. He further honed his expertise with a Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing from the London School of Business Administration and a Master Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Skills Institute. These credentials underscore his commitment to mastering the art of strategic communication.

Empowering Brands Through Ayrah Media Concept

As the CEO of Ayrah Media Concept (AMC), Ibrahim leads a PR and creative agency that provides businesses with tailored solutions, including PR consulting, social media management, corporate campaigns, and digital marketing.

“My vision is to empower brands to connect with their audiences, tell compelling stories, and achieve global relevance,” Ibrahim explains. “Through AMC, we’re showing businesses—whether in Northern Nigeria or beyond—that they can reach new heights with the right strategies.”

In 2024, AMC worked on several impactful campaigns, including Ibrahim’s role as a Lead Consultant for the WOFAN-ICON2 project in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, where he developed and executed PR and communication strategies to amplify the project’s impact.

Changing Perceptions and Building Bridges

Transitioning into PR and digital marketing came with challenges, including shifting perceptions about its value.

“Many businesses see PR and digital marketing as optional rather than essential,” Ibrahim says. “But the results are transformative. Strategic communication is not just about visibility; it’s about building trust, credibility, and lasting connections with your audience.”

This philosophy drives Ibrahim’s approach, ensuring that businesses of all sizes—whether local startups or established corporations—can access high-quality PR and marketing services.

Looking Ahead

Ibrahim’s vision for the future extends far beyond regional boundaries. While his roots and passion lie in Northern Nigeria, his focus is on creating strategies that resonate globally.

“Brands in Kano, Lagos, Abuja, or even New York share a common goal: to connect with people and make an impact,” he says. “My mission is to ensure that every business, regardless of size or location, has the tools and strategies to achieve that.”

In 2025, Ibrahim plans to document his professional journey in a book that will explore his experiences as a journalist and PR expert, offering insights into the evolving landscape of communication and its role in business success.

A Message of Gratitude

As he reflects on the year, Ibrahim expresses his gratitude to those who have supported his journey. “I’m incredibly thankful to my mentors, collaborators, and clients who have believed in my vision. Together, we’ve shown that impactful communication has the power to transform lives and businesses.”

With a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah is poised to lead the way in redefining PR and digital marketing, not just in Nigeria but across the globe.

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