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<p>By Abba Anwar</p><div class="JThf70cL" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

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<p>In less than four years, major political actors who challenged each other in the 2023 gubernatorial race on different political platforms, who were diametrically opposed to each other, swapped platforms and political godfathers. A rare political reality which manifests in decades in some political settings.</p>
<p>When the winner of 2023 gubernatorial race, His Excellency Abba Kabir Yusuf, joined All Progressives Congress (APC), under the leadership of the former Governor of the state, His Excellency, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON, his major challenger His Excellency Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, exited from APC to African Democratic Congress (ADC) and principally under the former Governor of the state, His Excellency Rabi&#8217;u Musa Kwankwaso, leader of Kwankwasiyya.</p>
<p>But what is so fascinating is the fact that, all the running mates of these gubernatorial candidates did not change the direction of their loyalty, neither did they change political platforms to join their hitherto arch-rivals. As governor Yusuf run to Ganduje, by extension, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gawuna in a swift move, inches towards Kwankwaso.</p><div class="r2abXoTV" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

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<p>Yusuf&#8217;s running mate and later Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, remains intact with Kwankwaso. As Gawuna&#8217;s running mate His Excellency Murtala Sule Garo, remains with Ganduje and APC. My reader should know that, only Allah can make this arrangement possible. Something beyond quick human comprehension.</p>
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<p>Some observers translated the action of the two running mates, as genuine and honest display of loyalty to their bosses. As some also believe that, the actions of both Yusuf and Gawuna are not stark betrayal of the process, but soul search and safeguarding their steps.</p>
<p>In recent political development in the country, such kind of loyalty switchover, happens only in Kano in decades. I stand to be corrected.</p>
<p>Going by the understanding that, both Garo and Gwarzo remain intact and obedient in their display of true loyalty to the cause they believe in and the political direction, that also means they are reliable in their own right. Coincidentally the duo come from the same zone, Kano North. But with different political relevance, strength and influence.</p>
<p>While Garo can boast of solid and complete political structure across all the 44 local governments, Gwarzo can hardly boast of that across Kano North alone. Their political influence is ocean apart. Not to talk of political dominance in the true manifestation of reality.</p>
<p>There could be no much qualms in swapping godfathers between Yusuf and Gawuna. The major concern according to some observers, is how to manage the environment around their new bosses. The environment is largely political, followed by social understanding and meaning attach to new realities of alignment and realignment.</p>
<p>The legal environment is more visible and effective around Gawuna&#8217;s new place, the ADC. You remember what the electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said recently about the possibility or impossibility of ADC&#8217;s chance to stand for an election come 2027?</p>
<p>Both Yusuf and Gawuna are prone to challenges in their new platforms. For the governor, his challenges are largely self-inflicted. The ball and players are all in his court, to make or mar. I&#8217;m sure His Excellency the governor, is aware that among those who cross-carpeted to Tinubu&#8217;s APC with him, there are moles, who have since started spying on him on all inches in governance and political decisions. No doubt about this.</p>
<p>Frankly speaking, the people&#8217;s governor, Yusuf, has four fundamental issues that need to be address immediately and squarely. If he really needs to remain in the corridor of power beyond 2027. There could be smaller attachments of issues that also need his attention.</p>
<p>First and foremost, is the Emirship tussle. Though the case is in court, but still, as number one citizen and Chief Security officer of the state, he knows pretty well that, the people of Kano are more comfortable with His Highness, Aminu Ado Bayero, as Emir of Kano. Anything short of this, is minus and virus. So for him to continue romancing with Mr Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, is self-destructive and evasive.</p>
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<p>Secondly, this issue of who occupies the seat of Deputy Governor after the resignation of the former Deputy, Gwarzo, is only delicate and fragile, if our able governor makes it as such. It is very clear, open and un-arguable for all, to tell you who the cap fits, sentiment apart. This is where governor Yusuf, as a leader, I won&#8217;t say MUST, but SHOULD, work it out himself. Without being told or directed. He knows the danger of where he came from and he knows what he needs, the most now. So deep inside his mind, he knows the right choice for him, his government and the state.</p>
<p>There is an array of potential suitors here, as being carried out in the media, in private discussions, around politicians, etc etc. See the list, Malam Salihu Sagir Takai, one time gubernatorial candidate under the defunct All Nigeria People&#8217;s Party (ANPP), and a former Commissioner during Malam Ibrahim Shekarau administration and Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, former Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, and now member, House of Representatives.</p>
<p>Others are Murtala Sule Garo former State Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), former State Organizing Secretary of People&#8217;s Democratic Party (PDP), former Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Deputy Gubernatorial candidate during 2023 election and the current State Chairman of ALGON, the Chairman of Tudunwada local government, Sa&#8217;adatu Yusha&#8217;u.</p>
<p>So also the current Speaker State House of Assembly, Right Hon Jibril Ismail Falgore.</p>
<p>Whether true or false, President Tinubu &#8220;directed&#8221; or adviced that Garo should be picked, I think governor Yusuf knows what trouble Garo can prevent for the government when he partakes in the administration of the state. He also knows what tragedy and trouble can befall his administration and re-election bid when Garo is deliberately and persistently sidelined.</p>
<p>I&#8217;m not interested in verifying what Tinubu said to governor Yusuf or Ganduje recently at the Villa. I&#8217;m also not interested in knowing what exactly transpired between Yusuf and Ganduje after their separate meetings with Tinubu.</p>
<p>But I came across a story that, during governor&#8217;s meeting with Ganduje at latter&#8217;s residence in Asokoro, it was reported that, the governor pledged to make consultation on the issue of Garo&#8217;s choice as deputy governor. So if there was really a directive from Mr President concerning the choice of Garo, it is obvious that, the governor may not even think of making consultation.</p>
<p>But one thing, a bitter and probably uncomfortable truth is, keeping Garo away from the seat of the deputy governor is as equal as running away, in high speed, from victory, come 2027. If I may say a word to the governor, this issue of deputy governorship position, should not be as dilly-dallying as his (governor&#8217;s) entry into APC. Governor should just make a decision once and for all.</p>
<p>Before governor Yusuf joined APC many possible dates were given, with so many postponements. His Excellency the governor should please know that, this issue of deputy governorship seat is much more important than any other thing when it comes to preparation for re-election bid. Slightest mistake could be suicidal.</p>
<p>Based on the assessment conducted, I said it above, sentiment aside, qualities or criteria, people set for a rightful person for the position of deputy governor, Garo possesses them all above other contenders. I&#8217;m saying this without any bias or sentiment.</p>
<p>Some of such qualities are, political spread of an individual across the state, with structures across all the 44 local governments, a man of his word, his yes is yes and his no is no, reserve and calculative. Someone who can get support across all the parties, even from Kwankwasiyya, PDP and ADC. Whose magnanimous engagement is still intact. Someone whose loyalty does not dangle, neither his belief in what he believes in. Please our governor, the deputy governor should not be starved. He should get such opportunity to discharge his responsibilities diligently and effectively.</p>
<p>The third issue on the list, is, it is absolutely important for the governor to make sure that he, even if it means singlehandedly, should strive hard and amend all fences, especially within the traditional APC members. All factions, imagined and real, within APC, should come back to the drawing board and work together for his government and the state. Anything short of this is a political blunder.</p>
<p>The fourth and the last issue in this category, is, His Excellency Yusuf should please release resources, that are releaseable to local government councils for them to manage people at the grassroot. Local government chairmen are closer to the people Sir.</p>
<p>The same thing should apply to all his appointees, ranging from cabinet members, Advisers, Heads of Agencies and his Special Assistants. Particularly his Media Aides and Special Assistants. His Excellency should know that, we are now in an emergency situation, where many hands must be on deck.</p>
<p>Anwar writes from Kano<br />
Friday, 3rd April, 2026</p>
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