By Adamu Aminu

Political disagreement is not the problem. Nigeria’s democracy was built on the expectation that citizens and their representatives would argue, differ, and contest ideas openly. What is happening in Kano today is something else entirely. It is not debate. It is decay.

In recent weeks, the public exchange between two political proxies in Kano has crossed every line that should separate legitimate criticism from outright character assassination.

What began, ostensibly, as political rivalry has degenerated into insults, curses, and personal attacks that now extend beyond the individuals involved to their families. Parents, spouses, and children — people who hold no office and made no political claim — have been dragged into a contest that was never about governance in the first place.

It is with genuine concern that this must be said plainly: the recent exchange between Alhaji Usman Sharu Baban Lungu, an elderly statesman in his eighties, and Alhaji Nagoda, an aide to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, descended into accusations too grave and too dishonorable to repeat here — accusations that dragged innocent family members into territory no political disagreement should ever reach. “Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un”

Whatever their differences, two men of public standing — one of them elderly enough to command respect by age alone — have involved their own households in conduct that neither politics nor personal grievance can justify.

Is this the legacy they intend to leave for their children, and for their children’s children, long after they are gone? A name is the one thing a person carries beyond death.

This is not politics. It is a scramble for relevance, dressed up as loyalty. By all appearances, both men are not fighting for ideas or for the people of Kano. They are fighting for attention, for patronage, for whatever crumbs might fall from a political table they hope to remain seated at.

None of this happens in a vacuum. Social media pages and radio stations are institutions that ought to apply editorial discipline and ethical restraint, have instead become amplifiers. A radio interview is meant to test a politician’s ideas, not to provide a stage for insults. Yet politicians whose speech is more familiar with vulgarity than with policy have found that behavior rewarded with airtime and circulation, because outrage travels faster than substance.

The mudslinging is no longer whispered in private. It is broadcast and shared, in the hope of impressing political godfathers who measure loyalty by how loudly their proxies can humiliate a rival.

This raises questions Kano cannot afford to postpone. Where is Kano’s political direction heading when public office is pursued through insult rather than ideas?

Is this the inheritance we intend to leave the next generation, a political culture where vulgarity is normal and dignity is optional?

Has character assassination become a shortcut to relevance, a way of chasing clout rather than earning trust?

And where are the gatekeepers in all of this?

The Kano State Governor, political leaders, religious clerics, and other well-meaning individuals who command moral and civic authority in this state cannot claim ignorance of what is unfolding on air and online.

Their silence is not neutrality — it is consent by omission. Religious clerics who ordinarily do not hesitate to speak on matters of public morality owe the state a word on this matter.

A society that leaves moral guardianship to chance will, sooner or later, find that vulgarity has filled the space their silence left behind.

Constructive criticism holds power accountable. It sharpens argument and improves governance. What Kano is witnessing instead is the normalization of verbal immorality. Left unchecked, this trend does more than embarrass the individuals involved. It teaches a generation of young people in Kano that vulgarity is a legitimate substitute for vision.

Kano’s institutions, political, religious, and media alike, must now decide whether they are custodians of public discourse or accomplices to its collapse.

Adamu Aminu writes from Kano.

By Abba Anwar

I chose to caption this piece “2027 Loyalty Reloaded…” bearing in mind what His Excellency Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf said, to show his absolute confidence in his Deputy His Excellency Murtala Sule Garo, as governance pays back for loyalty.

It was at the instance of all federal political appointees meeting with the governor at Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, when the Governor bluntly announced to the faces and hearing of all that, “I have no regrets for choosing Garo as my Deputy in the last few months, and he has proven to be the right choice so far. I want to confirm to you that I have every confidence in him.”

This puts a halt to all speculations before picking HE Garo as Deputy Governor that, his loyalty could be divided when appointed as the Deputy Governor after the resignation of the former Governor, His Excellency Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.

To zip the mouth and bad intention of some politicians and to let everyone who cares to listen that, in less than four months, Governor Yusuf believes in HE Garo’s total and absolute loyalty, he picks him again to become his running mate come 2027.

He disclosed this during the meeting as disclosed by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa Director General Media and Publicity, in a press release issued, that “Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has officially announced the nomination of his Deputy, His Excellency Murtala Sule Galadima Garo, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.”

The release discloses that, “He expressed satisfaction with the working relationship between them, noting that Garo had demonstrated competence, dedication, and a strong sense of responsibility in the discharge of his duties.” I now understand the main reason and wisdom behind Governor’s bold decision in sending his Deputy as his representative, in major events. Within and outside Kano.

If not because of this trust and confidence the Governor has in his Deputy he wouldn’t have sent the Deputy to stand for him, during the visit of the high-powered delegation from European Union Ambassadors, USA Independence Day held in US Embassy Abuja and the just concluded Northern Governors Security Summit, among many other equally important events. Only loyalty, from Deputy’s side and confidence from Governor’s side, give this golden opportunity.

Part of the testimony given by the Governor for his choice in HE Garo, as running mate for 2027 is for his “… outstanding loyalty, commitment, and unwavering passion for the development of Kano State since assuming office as Deputy Governor,” speaks volumes about Deputy’s place in both the heart of his principal, the Governor and the art of governance in the state. By now HE Garo understands most significantly and clearly that, loyalty pays. What pays the most, is trust in Allah’s overall decisions, as says repeatedly by the Deputy. All those close to him know what I’m saying exactly.

The release reiterated that, the Governor has all the backing and goodwill support for the Deputy, indicating the nadir of the confidence of the Governor in his Deputy. As the release reads, “The Governor also passed a vote of confidence on the Deputy Governor, describing him as a dependable partner whose contributions have strengthened the administration’s drive to deliver meaningful development across Kano State.”

As a responsible leader who cares about the the unity, strength and the survival of the party beyond election periods, he urged, “… party leaders, political appointees, and supporters to remain united and committed as the administration continues to consolidate on its achievements while preparing for the 2027 general elections.”

By whatever standard and measurement, the union between Governor Yusuf and his Deputy, Garo, started on sound footing with the full support, cooperation and honest engagement of the Governor. While the Deputy is paying back with true loyalty embedded with good substance.

This features stronger administration and focused leadership. The way HE Garo responds to party demands and governance, with the consent of his principal, the Governor, it becomes clearer that, it will be a finer, healthier and merrier 2027 and beyond.

Anwar writes from Kano
Tuesday, 14th July, 2026

By Sadiq Ali Sango

As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, the importance of party unity cannot be overstated. Political parties that enter elections divided often struggle to achieve their objectives, regardless of the popularity of their candidates.

In Kano State, one of Nigeria’s most politically influential states, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Umar Haruna Doguwa, appears to have made unity the cornerstone of his leadership.

Since assuming office as chairman of the Kano APC, Doguwa has devoted considerable energy to reconciling party members, strengthening internal structures and restoring confidence among stakeholders.

His leadership style has been characterised by consultation, inclusiveness and constant engagement with party leaders and grassroots members across the state.

One of the notable developments under his leadership has been the return of key political figures to the APC.

The decision of former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, and prominent politician Bello Hayatu Gwarzo to join the party has been widely interpreted by supporters as evidence of renewed confidence in the APC’s leadership and direction in Kano.

Another important test of leadership came during the party’s primary elections. In many states, party primaries often end in prolonged disputes and defections.

In Kano, however, the APC leadership worked to minimise disagreements. Where misunderstandings arose, Doguwa reportedly prioritised dialogue and reconciliation, meeting with stakeholders and encouraging peaceful resolutions.

These efforts helped the party move forward with fewer internal divisions.

His commitment to party cohesion is perhaps most visible in his ongoing tour of Kano’s 44 local government areas. Rather than limiting his engagements to state-level meetings, he has chosen to visit local party structures, meeting with elders, women, youth groups and ward executives.

The objective is to strengthen relationships, address concerns, encourage unity and prepare the party’s grassroots machinery well ahead of the next elections.

Supporters believe this grassroots mobilisation is essential because Kano has historically played a decisive role in Nigeria’s electoral politics.

A united and well-organised party structure, they argue, will be better positioned to mobilise voters and conduct effective campaigns.

Doguwa’s political mission extends beyond managing the affairs of the APC. His ambition is to build a united platform capable of supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and all APC candidates in achieving success in the 2027 elections. This objective explains his emphasis on reconciliation, inclusion and grassroots engagement.

Doguwa believes that electoral success begins long before campaigns officially commence. It starts with building trust among party members, resolving differences early and ensuring that every stakeholder feels valued. His consultations across the state reflect that philosophy.

Politics is ultimately about organisation as much as popularity. Elections are won not only through campaign rallies but also through strong party structures, disciplined members and effective grassroots mobilisation.

As the countdown to the next general elections continues, sustaining internal cohesion may prove to be one of the APC’s greatest assets. If the current reconciliation efforts are maintained and the party continues to consolidate its support base, Kano APC could approach the 2027 elections with greater confidence and organisational strength than it has enjoyed in recent years.

Sadiq Ali Sango is an APC Youth Activist based in Kano