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Political Inexperience: Ata’s Unrealistic Bid to Reshape Kano Politics

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Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, the newly appointed Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, recently made bold claims about reintegrating heavyweights such as Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila and Rep. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum into the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, Ata’s grand aspirations seem to fall short of the reality of Kano’s complex political landscape, and his statements reflect a misunderstanding of his own political standing and the magnitude of the individuals he seeks to influence.

Ata’s recent comments, in which he expressed his intentions to bring figures like Rurum and Kawu Sumaila back into the APC fold, show a lack of political insight. Both Kawu Sumaila and Kabiru Alhassan Rurum are established political forces in Kano, with a track record of significant influence in the state. Rurum, a former speaker Kano State Assembly, and Kawu Sumaila, a well-respected and influential senator, command respect from a wide constituency. These are not politicians who can be “reintegrated” by an up-and-coming politician with limited political capital.

For Ata to presume that he can orchestrate the return of these influential figures to the APC under his leadership is an overestimation of his own abilities. It is not only impractical but also politically naive to believe that figures of their stature would be swayed by his influence. In fact, if either of them were to rejoin the APC, they would undoubtedly do so through higher echelons of the party — possibly the presidency or the national chairmanship — not through a relatively new and inexperienced politician like Ata, whose political influence is confined to his ward and local government.

The suggestion that Kawu Sumaila and Rurum would simply follow Ata’s lead is an insult to their long-standing political careers. These politicians have earned their position through years of hard work, strategic alliances, and the trust of their constituents. Ata, on the other hand, has yet to demonstrate the kind of political clout necessary to negotiate such significant moves. His lack of grassroots support and his tendency to lean on others for political maneuvering only further underscores his shortcomings.

Rather than focusing on grandiose plans to realign the APC’s major players in Kano, Ata would be wiser to focus on fostering relationships with the grassroots, which form the backbone of any political party. His recent emphasis on a shift in Kano’s political landscape, where the APC seems to be gaining ground following the new administration, seems premature. While it is true that the APC has made strides in the state, Ata’s strategy of recruiting high-profile figures without first consolidating support at the grassroots level is flawed.

If Ata truly wants to help his party and ensure APC’s success in future elections, his efforts should be directed towards strengthening the party’s base at the local level. By engaging with grassroots members and addressing their concerns, Ata could build a more solid foundation for the APC’s future victories. The way forward for him is not through unrealistic political ambitions but through building genuine relationships with people at all levels, particularly those who form the bedrock of the party’s support.

In conclusion, Ata’s aspirations to reintegrate figures like Kawu Sumaila and Kabiru Alhassan Rurum into the APC are misguided and reflect a lack of understanding of Kano’s political dynamics. The path to success in Kano politics is not through shortcuts or grandiose statements but through sustained engagement, relationship-building, and an appreciation for the political weight carried by figures with a proven track record. Ata would do well to focus on strengthening his party’s base at the grassroots level, where true political success is built.

Garba Ubale Kankarofi is a political analyst and writes from Kano. He can be reached at +234 706 816 0279.

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Opinion

That’s AA Zaura/Peter Obi Meeting’s: Signifying The Importance Of Zaura In The Nigerian Grassroots Politics

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The Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate in the 2023 polls, Peter Obi, private visit to the Abuja home of a-born chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura, popularly known as AA Zaura, has once more raised the craft significance of Zaura importance in the Nation Grassroots Politics.

Although, one might think the Visits is just one of those Obi’s Visits to his Friends and Political Poe’s, but is per beyond that,many who knows the strategies touches of Zaura in capturing the minds of Nigerians through his philanthropist magnanimous historic attendances, will appreciate the Political strategy of Peter Obi in making the realignment with Zaura.

Although the only things that could be reported from the meetings was the two politicians engagement in a closed-door meeting that lasted over an hour, many Analysts believes that there is more than meets the eye’s in the Obi/Zaura meetings.

It is true that, neither Obi nor Zaura disclosed the motive of the meeting after their discussion, as both maintained that it was a private matter. But reports has it that the realignment of the two old friends is a strategic moves towards 2027.

Although the meeting between Obi and Zaura has been described as highly confidential, sources close to both parties suggested that the visit was part of Obi’s broader efforts to engage with influential political figures across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 Presidential Election.

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AA Zaura, who is the President of the AA Zaura Foundation International, was the APC candidate for Kano Central Senatorial District in the 2023 general election, and a key figure in the Kano political scene.

Zaura influence and Obi’s push for broader political alliances ahead of 2027, the timing of the meeting could signal strategic moves aimed at fostering unity among diverse political forces.hile the specifics of their talks were still unknown, the meeting’s private nature has only added to speculations about possible collaboration between the two leaders in the near future.

Before the duo went into the private talks, Obi openly commended Zaura for his exceptional leadership and philanthropic initiatives, particularly through the AA Zaura Foundation International, which has been instrumental in lifting many Nigerians, especially those from his region, out of poverty, former Anambra State governor lauded Zaura’s passion towards lifting ordinary Nigerians from being consumption-focused to a people with production mindset through his empowerment initiatives, stressing the long-term impact such initiatives bring to the country at large.

AA Zaura expressed his admiration for Obi’s consistent posture on national issues, particularly his commitment to a more prosperous and self-reliant Nigeria, a statement that could clearly be seen as a thumps Up to Obi’s commitment and courage in his Presidential pursue.

It could be recalled that Zaura calculative Political Moves was among several efforts that gave President Tinubu victory in 2023, where he openly predicted that Bola Ahmad Tinubu will be the next Nigeria President no matter what. Zaura at that time insisted that zoning formula must be maintained and out of that the only Person that will benefit from it was Bola Ahmad Tinubu because of the fact that he was the last Man standing as far as South is concerned and that his struggles for the survival of the Polity can only be paid by allowing him to be the next President, the remaining is History.

Many saw that position as just a political jester coming from a desperate ally trying to sold his Friend (Tinubu) backs in 2022, more so that Zaura not only stick to his position but went on campaigning for Tinubu even before the commencement of proper Campaign stipulated times.

Today, Zaura dogged stand for Tinubu Presidential Candidature is history because it had well being achieved and the President has already fully taken the mantle of Leadership trying his best for a better Nigeria.

In a sum up, AA Zaura is one person that could not be played with because of his Political influence, courage, zeal and passion for a better Nigeria, that enough could trigger Peter Obi to run back to his old Political Friend for a prosperous Nation.

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Opinion

EXCLUSIVE: How FG Director Abandon Posting, Release Funds Against Civil Service Rules

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A Director of Accounts in the Ministry of Labour and Productivity has continued to stay in the Ministry despite approval of his Posting to the Ministry of Defence.

POLITICS DIGEST exclusively gathered that the said Treasury Officer who doubles as Director of  Accounts has continued to approve the release of funds despite his posting to another Ministry which is a breach of the civil service rules under the watch of the Permanent Secretary who is aware of what the civil service rules.

In a letter dated 12th November, the Accountant General of the Federation Oluwatosoyin Mudsin approved the Posting of the said Treasury officers with immediate effect but the officer in question Bala Saleh has continued to serve in the Ministry of Labour instead of Defence where he was posted to with immediate effect.

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A staff of the Ministry who pleaded for anonymity told this paper that he abandoned his new posting because of the support of a retired permanent secretary while both the Minister and that of State were not aware of the said letter which is totally against the civil service rules.

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However, some staff of the Ministry have confided to this paper their readiness to petition the Director in question to the ICPC.

When contacted over the matter, the spokesperson of the Ministry declined to comment and promised to call our reporter back after his findings on the matter.

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Opinion

Open Letter To His Excellency The Executive Governor Of Kano State:Need For A Balanced Composition Of Kano State Executive Council

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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state

 

Open Letter To His Excellency The Executive Governor Of Kano State:Need For A Balanced Composition Of Kano State Executive Council

Ismail Abdu Garba

Your Excellency sir, I want to use this opportunity to call your kind attention regarding the trend followed by your predecessors to form a composition of the state executive council that is not an all-inclusive which fails to address the need for every local government to be well represented in line with the principle of federal character establishment. The negligence or oversight of this administrative arrangement has become a typical set back that led to marginalization of Warawa L.G.A since its establishment by law in 1991, undermining not only its human capacity development but also the general welfare of its indigenes as evident in the few development projects so far executed by the state.
Sir, none of your predecessors on record has ever given us fair representation or equal opportunity through appointment to serve as a member of the state executive council either as Commissioner or Special Adviser since the establishment of Warawa Local Government. Adopting a similar trend by your administration Your Excellency is a great set back to your performance indicators for good governance towards fulfilling your campaign promises.
Among all of the twenty-four (24) Commissioners and about thirty-two (32) Special Advisers whom you appointed, and were cleared before the State Assembly, none is an indigene of Warawa L.G.A. Not only that Your Excellency Sir, so far all of your political appointment for the various position of heads of respective Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) ranging from about (7) Director General DGs, ( 44) Managing Directors MDs and Deputies, Executive Directors EDs, (5) Executive Secretary ES, and even Project Coordinators none is an indigene of Warawa L.G.A.

Your Excellency Sir only if you imagine having a similar composition of Federal Executive Council members at the Federal level without Kano State having any ministerial position designated (not even minister of state) while another state gets two or more, then it appears how disheartening is this recurring marginalization to the extent that a ward from another L.G.A will end up having two or more appointees and even an additional appointment as head of some MDAs while Warawa as a constitutionally recognized L.G.A end up with none.

Ismail Madari

Ismail Madari

With the exception of state constituency allocation and the ongoing 5 km entrance road projects, no presence of road developmental projects sponsored by the state as obtainable in other L.G.A that are well represented in the Council and beyond. Warawa L.G.A is autonomous like every other Local Government Area. Both the constitution and electoral act made it mandatory no single election into the office of the executive governor of Kano state will be declared conclusive without the votes of this administratively neglected local government area.
For this reason and beyond, in the principle of justice, fairness and equity we call upon you to kindly address the issue by giving us fair and equal opportunity to develop this resourceful Local Government Area. Our interest is to be part of the history to be written in gold by this administration, as we are part of the struggle that brought it on board.
Thank You.

Yours Sincerely,

Engr. Ismail Abdu Garba
Lecturer / Research scholar
Member, Kwankwasiyya Scholars Assembly KSA
Chairman, Warawa Education Election Campaign Committee (2019&2023)
Email – madaarie@gmail.com

Phone Number:08032868665

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