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.
