By Umar Aminu Lalloki

The Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin, finds himself navigating a challenging political landscape as Nigerians grapple with abject poverty in one of the most tumultuous political dispensations of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. Despite his long-standing political career, Barau’s recent actions suggest a disconnect with the political realities of his native Kano State.

Barau’s political journey began in 1999 when he became a member of the House of Representatives for Tarauni Federal Constituency in Kano State. This early start gave him a foothold in the political arena, but recent developments indicate that he may be losing touch with the grassroots dynamics that once propelled his career.

Following the 2023 general elections, Barau’s political strategy appears increasingly out of sync with the sentiments of Kano’s electorate. His approach of welcoming every political aspirant into his fold, regardless of their motivations, has raised eyebrows. This open-door policy seems more like a politically motivated reception than a genuine effort to address the needs of the people.

Barau’s spending spree, aimed at capturing Kano’s political landscape, is unlikely to yield the desired results. The electorate in Kano is not easily swayed by financial inducements. Instead, they are driven by political ideology and a commitment to principles that resonate with their aspirations.

APC bigwigs should be cautious of Barau’s antics. His attempts to showcase his ability to dominate Kano’s political scene may be more about self-promotion than genuine leadership. His history of betraying political godfathers, such as Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, further undermines his credibility. Such actions have not gone unnoticed by the discerning electorate of Kano.

Kano’s voters are not for sale. They are deeply invested in political ideologies that align with their values and vision for the future. Barau’s efforts to dislodge these entrenched beliefs are likely to be met with resistance. The electorate’s loyalty to their principles and their skepticism of opportunistic politics make it clear that Barau’s current strategy is flawed.

Barau I. Jibrin’s political miscalculation in Kano highlights the importance of staying connected with the electorate’s needs and values. His attempts to buy influence and welcome all comers into his political fold may backfire, as Kano’s voters remain steadfast in their commitment to political ideology over financial inducements. As the 2027 elections approach, Barau will need to reassess his strategy if he hopes to regain the trust and support of his constituents.

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.

An Open Letter by Northern Youth Assembly (Majalisar Matasan Arewa) To Hon. Abdulmumini Jibrin, a member representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency in Kano State

Dear Hon.

YOU ARE A POLITICAL DISAPPOINTMENT TO THE NORTH AND YOUR EVIL CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE NORTHERN NIGERIAN INTEREST IN RESPECT OF THE MALEVOLENT AND ANTI – NORTH TAX REFORM BILL SHALL NOT SUCCEED

The Northern Youth Assembly (Majalisar Matasan Arewa), on behalf of the 19 Northern States leadership of the Assembly, wishes to express our unequivocal disappointment in you, following a recent TV interview you granted, and outrightly endorsed the evil plan to undermine the North, and further relegate the region economically and commercially. Your shameful act of publicly supporting the proposed tax reform bill put forth by the Tinubu administration, is the highest order of disrespect to your constituents, Kano State people and the entire Northern Nigeria

As representatives of the Northern Nigerian youth, we believe that this proposal, in its current form, will disproportionately affect the economic livelihoods and aspirations of our people, without taking into cognisance the current economic reality in the country

Our disappointment is more on your vow to prioritize the passage of Tinubu’s evil tax reform bills in the National Assembly. While the proposed tax reform may be of so much interest to the people at the centre, however, your unwavering enthusiasm to champion the bill, that is clearly anti-North, exposes your misguided commitment to the course of protecting the interest of those you represent. It is very practical that the North faces a barrage of critical issues such as: acute shortage of electricity supply, rampant insecurity across the region, naked poverty, unemployment and a dismal state of infrastructure, to name just a few.

It is our belief that these are some of the challenges your constituents suffer from, and the purpose of your election was to fundamentally champion the course to address them through effective legislation and advocacy, rather than dedicating your legislative energy to serve some agenda that could further marginalize the Northern Nigerian people, the region where you come from. It would be wiser and more beneficial for you to prioritize your focus towards championing the course to alleviating the pressing socio-economic challenges ravaging the people in the North. This tax reform, in its current form, threatens to exacerbate the burdens of businesses and families in Northern Nigeria—businesses that are already struggling to survive due to unreliable power, inconsistent policy, Federal Government support and poor access to essential services.

Northern Nigerian requires only the leaders who could speak in the interest of the region, not hired lobbyists who would do everything to misguide and deceive their people for some cheap political gains.

We wish to inform you that, Northern Youth Assembly,n is highly disappointed for the likes of you, who would be engaged in supporting Tinubu’s evil plan of destroying the North.

We are committed to fight this course with our last drop of blood, expose the evil ones who are ready to auction the North, as we could no longer surrender our destiny into the hands of political merchants, betrayers and political hypocrites

The proposed Tinubu Tax Reform Bill, is evil and that was the reason why, the National Economic Advisory Council, rejected the bill in the first place, while people like you are trying to justify right, what is wrong in its totality

Signed.

Comrade Mohammed Hussaini Bauchi,
National Assistant publicity Secretary