Connect with us

Politics

Special Report:2023 And Issues That Shaped The Polity In 2022

Published

3 years ago

on

By Ozumi Abdul

Since the Nigeria’s transition to democracy in 1999, when the world black most populous nation retraced her path and signed a new pact with democracy after over 2 decades in the dudgeon of successive military governments from the 1980s, particularly when the then military president, General Muhammadu Buhari (now President Muhammadu Buhari) toppled the then democratically elected government of Shehu Shagari, every election has always come with its peculiar tidal waves of momentary frenzies, issues, narratives and counter narratives, political theatrics and frenetic hysterias.

So far so good, the 2023 general elections has not promised anything different from these eras of our fledgling democratic experiment and voyage, starting from the 4th republic of 1999 till date, as some issues already shaped the polity in the year 2022 preceding the proper election year of 2023; contenders, pretenders, spoilers and deciders are jostling for political positions, political relevance and importance, especially for the coveted seat of presidency as a heir to President Muhammadu Buhari who will by May 29 2023 be vacating the Aso Rock hot seat.

Rhetorics, propagandas, colourful slogans and politicking, smear campaigns, name-calling have all been prevalent in the polity, even though most political pundits and observers have often been ceaselessly expressed their worries about the paucity and sparsity of some really important myriad issues of national worries, such as terrorism, banditry, cultism, IPOB secessionists’ agitation, Yoruba Nation agitation, farmer/herders clashes and the ailing Nigeria’s economy from the major gladiators.

To this end, *Nigerian Tracker* take a look at the issues shaping the polity thus far:

*Electoral Act 2022 Was Assented*

The signing of the Electoral Act 2022 into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, February 25 is considered one of the biggest political events of the outgoing year. This is because the new law is widely considered an improvement on the old one in many respects.

It provides a legal framework that empowers the commission to determine the mode of voting and transmission of results, as well as to review the declaration of election results made under duress.

The new act also empowers INEC to review the declaration of election results where it determines it was not made voluntarily or contrary to the law or guidelines. The review must be done within seven days of the declaration. This is to address the problem of the declaration of results made under duress.

However, INEC’s review is subject to judicial review. Section 65(2) also alters the timelines for the conduct of elections and creates new time frames for political parties to fulfil various requirements and activities concerning the nomination of candidates for elections.

*Tinubu Birthed the ‘Emilokan’ Word Into The Nigerian Political Dictionary*

The Yoruba word “Emilokan” which loosely translate to mean “it’s my turn” was birthed at an exultant, auspicious gathering of the APC party activists in Abeokuta on June 3, 2022, with Tinubu on the campaign trail to garner support from the delegates in the party’s primary.

Democracy Under Threat: Why the Security Risks to Nigeria’s 2023 Elections Must Not Be Overlooked

The obviously emotional Tinubu who felt surcharged politically decided to come out swinging, sharing some unpalatable truths with the audience about his role in the emergence of retired Major General Muhammadu Buhari as President. It was a gathering of his kinsmen; an arena of maximum comfort for him. He threw away all pretensions to decorum and political correctness and went ‘native’. He deployed the best of Yoruba idioms laced with biting sarcasm.

Tinubu did not only want his kith and kin to hear him, he wanted them to feel him from their underbellies with nothing lost in translation. He made revelations after revelations concerning the jostling for positions in APC, going back to its roots in the defunct Alliance for Democracy, and how he made personal sacrifices to help nurture and grow the party to become the juggernaut that it is today. In much the same way as he was instrumental in engineering the ‘o to gee’ (enough is enough) movement that toppled the Saraki political dynasty in Kwara State in the 2019 general elections, ‘emi l’okan’ has become Tinubu’s revolutionary rallying cry in his march towards the seat of power in 2023.

*Tinubu Emerges APC Presidential Flag Bearer*

After weeks of political intrigues and horse trading, the APC presidential primary was held on Saturday, June 9. It was an eventful one that was characterized by top contenders who brought in their A-game. Many of the presidential aspirants resisted attempts to shut them out of the primary through subtle pressure in the form of “screening”, “pruning down” and “consensus”.

The high point of the event was when National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu won the hotly contested ticket after weeks of high-wire intrigues and horse trading. He emerged as the party’s flag bearer, after a keenly contested election with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Transport Minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Senate President Ahmed Lawan.

*Heightened Rambunctious Antics Of The Obedient Movement*

“Obidient Movement”, is a term coined from the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate’s name to represent a people that have pledged allegiance to his presidential ambition.

The ‘Obidients’ as they identify themselves are mostly young Nigerians, whose its large pool is mostly from the Igbo speaking South Eastern part of the country. They have been reported to be doing outlandish things to project their man in a way that reminds us all of what is called youthful exuberance. Mostly uncouth, aggressive on the social media platforms to dissenting political views and opinions from their own. For instance, One Abuja lady with twitter handle @jojoNitq reportedly dropped her boyfriend for refusing to see the light in Obi and preferring to remain with the ‘old order’.

Some have argued that the ‘Obidient’ uproar is merely social media braggadocio, while others are of the opinion that the movement has what it takes to rock the boats of the APC and PDP come 2023, and even stands a great chance of unseating the ruling party.

Since the 2015, the presidential election has always been a two-horse race between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the major opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Several attempts by well-meaning Nigerians to form a ‘Third Force’ political movement that can wrest power from these two never yielded any positive result.

Even former President Olusegun Obasanjo tried to dislodge the APC and PDP through a Third Force movement in the 2019 general elections but failed. In 2018, Obasanjo, gauging the mood of the nation called for the establishment of a third force, which he called the ‘Coalition for Nigeria’.

This coalition, he believed, would wrest power from the two main political parties. In his ‘special statement’, titled ‘The Way Out: A Clarion Call For Coalition For Nigeria Movement,” he dismissed the ability of both the APC and the PDP, under which he became president and ruled for eight years, to change the fortunes of the country for the better. He also averred that President Muhammadu Buhari has failed Nigerians and urged him to honourably “dismount from the horse. The coalition soon collapsed before the 2019 presidential election and Buhari was elected for another term that ends in 2023. Peter Obi’s entry into the presidential race appears to rekindle the hope of the youths who are avidly in dire need of ‘Third Force’ when he announced his resignation from the PDP and joined the Labour Party (PDP). Obi, had earlier picked the PDP Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, and was planning to run on joint ticket with Atiku Abubakar just like they did in 2019 but, was vehemently resisted by PDP governors who demanded that Atiku must pick one of them as running mate if he clinches the ticket.

Obi’s entrance into the race elicited joy and acclaim from many youths who are already began a nationwide mass movement for his presidential ambition. His loyalists who described him as the authentic ‘Third Force’ said they are declaring support for him as the man with the track record to turn around the fortunes of Nigeria. These youths who tagged themselves as ‘Obidient Nigerians’ have vowed to use the power of their votes to enthrone him as president in 2023. To achieve this, they have been creating mass awareness calling on Nigerians to go get their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) so that they can exercise their civic rights in the 2023 presidential election. Many of them have replaced their social media photographs with that of Obi and the Labour Party logo.
Momodu, who appeared on a current affairs programme ‘Your View’ on TVC, had said Obi could not win the 2023 presidency in a local fringed party like Labour.

When asked if Obi would pull the type of votes Trump did in the US, which nobody thought existed or get many youths to vote for him in the general election, Momodu said it’s impossible. According to him, the first thing Obi would face is to fund the party because the party is not financially buoyant, and Nigerians do not make contributions.

Advert

He said, “For me, the two of the best in the PDP were myself and Peter Obi, and he had absconded. I was in Labour; I started my journey from Labour; the first thing Obi will face in Labour is to fund the party because the party does not have money, and Nigerians don’t make contributions.

“After I lost the first ten million, I started shaking because they said they were setting up a structure. You cannot win a presidential election from a fringed local party like Labour. Peter Obi has money, unlike me, but can he spend his hard-earned money on fighting Atiku and Tinubu if he emerges the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Party? He can’t.”

However, in his response to Momodu’s claim, Peter, in a series of tweets on Twitter, said that Obi might not have money and structure, but he has the youths and masses behind him, adding that masses will control the election’s outcome.

He tweeted: “With all due respect Sir, Mr Dele Momodu! Yes, Peter Obi might not have the money and structure! But he has the Youths, The Masses and The People now! The truth is that we, the people, are the structure. We are many, and we are powerful. We are Obi-don’t; we cannot be distracted.

You people don’t understand the hardship and abject poverty that will hit us if Peter Obi doesn’t win. It’s not about the North or South here; it’s about who will save us. The country is crumbling in all sectors, people are dying unnecessarily, and all this rubbish must stop. They intentionally create hardship for the people so that they can easily buy people over to support them in a time like this! Are you people not tired of suffering? Is Nigeria today satisfactory for you? Don’t fall for these same mind games again.

“Please, one more thing, Sir, Mr Dele Momodu, with all the money and structure that other political parties have, where has it taken Nigeria to? We need Pure Change! And Peter Obi is that change! And now a Threat to all of them all! Sorosoke.”

February 2023 would however tell if Peter Obi possesses the political clouts or weights to wrestle power from the ruling APC, or he is mere political wannabe, while the “Obidients” are social media nuisances without decorum.

*PDP Lingering Crisis And The G5 Umpteenth Demand*

Wahala no dey stop. If there is anything close to this Nigeria local parlance axiomatic expression, it is that of the lingering crisis in the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The ‘wahalas’ in the PDP throughout in 2022, especially after the party’s presidential primaries be in succession and layers, that if one thinks a particular layer of the wound is healed, sooner, the party starts nursing another fresh wound from the next layer to the already healed one. If it’s not the PDP’s presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar against the Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, then it’s Wike versus the former Jigawa state governor, Sule Lamido, or the party’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu or even the former national chairman of the party, Uch Secondus.

In fact, the ‘wahalas’ are back to back, and already handing the party a short end of the stick in the race for the 2023 presidential election because of how widened the cracks in its walls have become.

An unsettled home of course is an easy target for an enemy or enemies from outside to wreck havoc, and this appeared to be one of the All Progressive Congress (APC)’s tactical jigsaw deducing from the London Safaris between its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Wike in October, as well as the G5’s rumoured ongoing discussion with the APC in view of striking agreement, a rumour the APC’s vice presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima admitted yesterday would be a “game changer” if the party can get Wike to work for it in 2023.

The crisis in the PDP to which had grown into many layers began since Wike lost the party’s presidential primary in June. After he lost the presidential ticket to Atiku – which he and members of his G5 camp believe was because of a decision by Sokoto governor, Aminu Tambuwal to step down late in the race, Wike accused the party of betraying him and breaching its constitution.

Efforts made by the two men to meet, either in person or through emissaries, were either stalled, deadlocked or not entirely fruitful. The meeting of 25 August did not have a different outcome.

In the interim, there seems to be no clear solution about the party’s in-house problems, looking at the last meeting between Atiku and the Wike camp. This is because while demands were made and resolutions were reached at the meeting, one (Atiku) is still making consultations as to how to meet the demands while the other (Wike) appears to be adding fuel to the fire he started as he dances, literally, and basks in the attention he is getting from political suitors.

One of the G5’s demands is that for the purpose of fairness and internal democracy within the party, Ayu should step down as the party’s national chairman, while a Southerner takes up his position since the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar is from the same northern region (North East, Adamawa) as Ayu (North Central, Benue).

This demand endeared Atiku to promise the Wike camp that he “consult and get revert to them”, even though there was no fixed promised date for Atiku to report back to the group, and it is now over two weeks and there appears to be lack of progress regarding that.

With this demand, the Turaki Adamawa is no doubt has been boxed into a political tight corner, that he is in a limbo of how to sort such difficult puzzle as demanded, to have Mr Ayu – one of his loyalists step down.

In what has the semblance of salt in the already swollen wound, is harsh and rash exchange of words between Ayu and Wike.

In the past months, Nigerians have been needled with the duo’s argument over who is more mature or who is guilty or who uses vocabulary better, among others.

After Wike’s meeting with Atiku, the call by his supporters for Ayu’s resignation did not cease, as a way to broker peace in the party, and in a terse response, Mr Ayu dismissed the people asking him to step down as “children”, maintaining that he was elected for a tenure of four years and had not even completed one.

“I co-founded the PDP in Nigeria and some boys who don’t know how we struggled and what we went through can’t cause problems for the party. When we started the PDP, we did not know those boys, they are children, they don’t know why we founded the party. We will not agree with one person to come and destroy our party,” Ayu said.

Typical of Wike, many Nigerians knew this reply would be responded to and it took him less than 24 hours to prove them right.

In Wike’s response, he called the chairman arrogant and an ingrate. He said the people Mr Ayu had called ‘children’, brought him from nothing and placed him in the position he currently occupies.

“Somebody said those of you who said the right thing must be done are boys; they are children…You can imagine how ingratitude…how people can be ingrates…Dr Ayu said we are children. Yes, the children brought you to be chairman of the party, the children brought you from the gutter to make you chairman. You were impeached and sacked. Arrogance cannot take you anywhere.”

Mr Wike also challenged the PDP chairman to prove himself as a man of honour and fulfil his promise to step down should the northern region produce the presidential candidate.

Although Mr Ayu has said he will no longer comment or respond to Mr Wike, the existing feud between the two men is also being felt by the presidential candidate who, obviously, needs both men – everybody – on board as parties gear up for campaigns.

How Atiku intends to appeal to an already angry Mr Ayu and at the same time, appeal to Mr Wike is a puzzle many Nigerians wait to see how it is solved, as time is fast running out to right all the wrongs in the party if they really want to stage a serious fight to unseat the ruling APC.

*Senator Adamu’s Emergence As APC National Chairman*

Another major political events of the year is the emergence of Senator Abdullahi Adamu as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He emerged at the party’s national convention held at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Saturday, March 26, about a year and nine months after the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) was dissolved.

Adamu, who was a serving member of the Senate representing Nasarawa West then, is President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice for the job. He was returned unopposed. He had gone into the election as the consensus candidate, following the withdrawal of his co-contenders from the contest.
He took over from Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni who had served in an interim capacity. Buni’s headship of the party had generated mixed reactions within the party and beyond.

*Tinubu Emerges APC Presidential Flag Bearer*

After weeks of political intrigues and horse trading, the APC presidential primary was held on Saturday, June 9. It was an eventful one that was characterized by top contenders who brought in their A-game. Many of the presidential aspirants resisted attempts to shut them out of the primary through subtle pressure in the form of “screening”, “pruning down” and “consensus”.

The high point of the event was when National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu won the hotly contested ticket after weeks of high-wire intrigues and horse trading. He emerged as the party’s flag bearer, after a keenly contested election with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Transport Minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Senate President Ahmed Lawan.

*Biodun Oyebanji Won Ekiti Governorship Election*

The Ekiti State governorship election was held on June 18. Biodun Oyebanji, the anointed candidate of former Governor Kayode Fayemi won the election. Oyebanji who contested on the platform of the APC secured 187,057 votes to defeat his closest challengers, Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) who polled 82,211, and Bisi Kolawole of the PDP who scored 67, 457 votes.

*Adeleke Won Osun Guber Election*

After losing out in 2019, Adeleke Ademola won the Osun gubernatorial election.
The Osun governorship election was held on July 16 in the 30 local government areas of the state. The chief returning officer, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, declared the PDP candidate, Ademola Adeleke the winner of the election in the early hours of Sunday, July 17.

He won in 17 of the 30 local government areas, while former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola won triumphed in the remaining 13 local governments. Adeleke garnered 389,984 votes in the overall results from local governments, while Oyetola who ran on the platform of the APC polled 360,500.

Related Topics:

Politics

DSP Barau’s Efforts Against Insecurity and Bills Sponsorship

Published

2 days ago

on

June 14, 2026

By

 

By Abba Anwar

An interesting and soundly captivating revelation goes viral and attracting accolades in the media from yesterday, when the Special Adviser on Media, to His Excellency, Deputy Senate President, Barau I Jibrin, PhD, CFR, discloses that, the Senator sponsored 42 Bills in 36 Months.

The Media Aide, Ismail Mudasshir in his press release, says, “A total of 42 bills have so far been sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, in three years, from June 13, 2023, to June 13, 2026, records from the Senate have revealed.

Senator Barau, who represents Kano North Senatorial District, has emerged as the most active lawmaker in the 10th Senate in terms of private member bill sponsorship.”

The breakdown further reveals that, that the Senator sponsored 13 bills in 2023, 9 bills in 2024, 17 bills in 2025 and 3 bills in 2026.

Yes the number of the Bills shows the seriousness, commitment and how patriotic DSP is, because that number places him inches ahead of many Distinguished colleagues. He truly understands and identifies himself with the primary responsibility of a legislator in legislative process, lobby, procedure and oversight functions.

It is absolutely true that, the number of the Bills birthed under his effort are commendable. But more commendable to me, are the Bills that have link with the security of the land. In this context. As insecurity is plaguing hard in the North in particular, and Nigeria in general, anything that has to do with taming the menace and monster of this problem, is an all-important development.

I sometimes disagree with some opinions that, all our leaders are not interested in taming the menace of insecurity in the country. I do so, when I think of good leaders like DSP Jibrin. In his own capacity as a legislator, whose primary and constitutional responsibility lies on legislation, not execution, he is doing well and amazing.

This piece is not on his contributions to security agencies and personnel in his constituency and Kano state in general. It is concentrated only on security – related Bills in the Senate, which he sponsored.

To talk briefly about his constituency and state, while he did a lot in providing operational vehicles and other logistics for the Nigeria Police Force, Kano Command, alongside other security agencies, he did well in the area of infrastructural development in Barracks and other operational locations.

Insurgency and other forms of terrorism hitting hard on us, does not start and end in forests and other hideous, such physical acts are the product of planning, engagement and execution. In this digital age Cybercrimes are crux of the matter, alongside other nefarious activities. With the good understanding of the lingering bad side of this, DSP Jibrin, initiated and sponsored Cybercrimes (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2023 (SB.64).

Cybercrime is a pregnant of bad traits like hacking government systems, banking fraud, online scams FUNDING BANDITS/KIDNAPPERS, spread of disinformation that incites violence. When DSP understood that, repealing and re-enacting the 2015 Act, could aid in updating penalties, improving coordination with equally relevant agencies like Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA). This will give law enforcement better tools to track cybercriminals. Without this, Nigeria’s digital space stays vulnerable.

Understanding that modern insecurity is not just about guns. Explosives sometimes cause more devastating damage than guns. His Excellency, Deputy Senate President sponsored Explosives Act (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2023 (SB.70). This has to do with IEDs, bombings, illegal mining explosives used bandits/insurgents. The old Act is outdated. A new Act tightens licensing for quarries, construction, mining companies. It also controls storage and transportation so explosives don’t end up in wrong hands. This, by whatever standard, is a frontline prevention against terrorism and violent crime.

Advert

His genuine concern for our patriotic elements, Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, Senator Jibrin sponsored Armed Forces Comfort Fund Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 882). This has to do with the welfare of our soldiers and direct military operations. It looks at the welfare of soldiers – medical care for injured troops, support for families of fallen soldiers, barracks upgrades.

It is natural to note that if morale and welfare are low, troop effectiveness automatically drops. This Bill ensures the fund works better, so soldiers fighting Boko Haram, bandits, IPOB etc are better supported. Security depends on the reality that fighting force being motivated.

As a global citizen whose worldview and knowledge of how nations struggle against modern crimes, with digital capacity and capability, our all-round Senator sponsored Cryptocurrency Prohibition and Regulation Bill, 2025 (SB.931). This has to do with financial security. A crux of many evils. It is very clear to deeply understand that unregulated crypto is used to move ransom money for kidnapping, fund terrorism, launder proceeds of banditry.

This Bill strengthening prohibition and regulation suggests loudly that Nigeria wants to either ban high-risk crypto or put strict Know Your Customer/ Anti-Money Laundering (KYC/AML) rules. That cuts off a funding channel for criminals. Central Bank and EFCC have alarmed crypto as a security risk since 2021.

To deal with financial crimes and enhance financial security from all ramifications, he saw reason in sponsoring Virtual Asset and Service Providers Bill, 2025 (SB. 956). It looks at VASP exchanges, wallets, crypto brokers. Failure to regulate them could land Nigeria to be blacklisted by Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global Police for money crimes.

It is globally accepted that, when a nation is blacklisted by FATF, that hurts banking and investment. Which automatically weakens the economy and creates more poverty-driven crime. Regulating VASPs means transactions can be traced, making it harder for kidnappers/bandits to hide money for their notorious activities.

His Bill the National Identity Management Commission (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2024 (SB.472), is foundational for internal security. As crimes like kidnapping, banditry and terrorism thrive on anonymity, with this Bill, a very strong, clean National ID database with biometrics helps security agencies identify suspects, track movement, block SIM cards of criminals, and secure borders. This Bill has already been passed into Law. It strengthens NIMC to capture more Nigerians and link NIN to SIMs, BVN, and the rest.

Slow development or lack of it, fuels nefarious activities among citizens. With this understanding Senator Jibrin saw a strong reason why he should sponsor and facilitate for the establishment of a development commission. Hence his sponsorship of North West Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB.90).

It is largely believe that, insecurity in North West region is driven by poverty, no jobs, no schools, abandoned projects etc etc. The Commission is created to rebuild roads, schools, hospitals, create jobs in the 7 states of the region. This tackles root causes of the disturbing and lingering menace. Which means fewer youth join gangs. Especially when the Commission takes-off.

With Constitution Alteration Bills, 2023-2025, sponsorsed by the DSP, many areas concentrate on how to change security architecture. Provisions like SB.262, SB.281, SB.288, SB.403, SB.784, SB.785, SB.786, SB.793, SB.804, SB.907 deal with state police, local government autonomy, security votes transparency, or police reform. We are talking of constitutionalizing fight against insecurity.

Kidnappers den and terrorists hideouts are looked at in the Bill he sponsored, Development Planning and Project Continuity Bill, 2023 (SB.05). Under this the provisions need to do with environmental and/or operational security. It looks at bandoned projects like uncompleted buildings, roads, dams that become hideouts for kidnappers and bandits. This bill forces governments to finish projects before starting new ones. Less abandoned infrastructure means less space for criminals to operate. This also prevents waste of public funds that should go to security.

I am not only looking at the number of Bills sponsored by His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Jibrin, though commendable and encouraging, my concern in this context is the fact that out of the total Bills, 42, 5 hit security head-on, 4 addresses root causes or systems that make security easier. While 3 of the 4 have already become law, these are Cybercrimes, Explosives, NIMC, and NWDC.

I concur with His Excellency’s Media Aide, Mudasshir when he said in his press release, that, “Sponsoring forty-two bills in three years is, without doubt, a colossal legislative feat. Senator Barau, fondly called ‘Maliya’, has always been known as someone who raises the bar to enviable heights in all his endeavours.

He explained further that, “The Deputy Senate President has achieved this alongside the demanding duties of supporting the Senate President in providing leadership for the Senate. At the sub-regional legislature, the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Barau as the First Deputy Speaker has been playing a key role in the leadership of the regional assembly.”

Anwar writes from Kano
Sunday, 14th June, 2026

Continue Reading

Politics

Why NDC Rep Candidate JY Yusuf Remains His Own Biggest Political Obstacle

Published

3 days ago

on

June 13, 2026

By

 

As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, the emergence of Dr. Yusuf Jibril (JY), a former Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture, as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Rano, Kibiya, and Bunkure Federal Constituency has not come as a surprise to many observers.

After all, this is not his first attempt to secure the seat. However, what remains surprising is his apparent failure to learn some of the fundamental lessons of grassroots politics despite years of political experience.

Politics is not merely about ambition. It is not about appearing on ballot papers every election cycle. It is about relationships, accessibility, empathy, and constant engagement with the people whose votes a candidate seeks. Unfortunately, these are areas in which many constituents believe JY has performed poorly.

Dr. Jibril rose through the ranks of youth politics, a background that ordinarily should have made him a champion of inclusion, consultation, and grassroots mobilization. Instead, many people perceive him as a politician who has distanced himself from the very communities he hopes will elect him.

One of the most persistent criticisms against JY is his alleged inability to build and sustain meaningful relationships across the constituency. Politics thrives on personal connections. Communities expect their leaders and aspiring representatives to share in their moments of joy and stand with them during difficult times. Yet, many constituents complain that JY is rarely visible when communities face challenges or celebrate achievements.

The Rano, Kibiya, and Bunkure Federal Constituency comprises more than 30 wards, each with its own unique concerns and political realities. However, critics argue that JY’s engagement appears to be limited to only a handful of wards. Such a narrow political reach raises serious questions about his understanding of the constituency he seeks to represent.

Some political observers even argue that JY has yet to demonstrate the level of grassroots penetration, political maturity, and constituency-wide engagement expected of someone seeking a seat in the House of Representatives.

Advert

According to these critics, his current political profile more closely resembles that of a ward-level politician than that of a federal lawmaker. They contend that effective representation at the national level requires a candidate with broad-based acceptance, deep community networks, and a proven record of engagement across all wards.

In their view, the constituency needs a politician with greater political calibre, commitment, visibility, and sustained interaction with the electorate, rather than one whose influence appears confined to limited areas.

A candidate seeking election to the House of Representatives is expected to maintain a presence across all corners of the constituency. Representation begins long before election day. It starts with listening to the people, understanding their concerns, and maintaining regular contact with them. Unfortunately, many voters struggle to identify tangible evidence of sustained engagement by JY.

Perhaps the greatest weakness of his political approach is communication. In modern politics, communication is not optional; it is essential. Before voters can support a candidate, they must know who he is, what he stands for, and why he deserves their trust. Effective communication creates familiarity, inspires confidence, and projects leadership.

Yet many political observers argue that JY has failed to establish strong communication channels with the electorate. His message is often absent from public discourse, while his interactions with constituents appear sporadic and insufficient. In a political environment where visibility and engagement determine electoral success, such shortcomings can prove costly.

A politician who does not communicate effectively leaves room for uncertainty, speculation, and voter apathy. Constituents want leaders who listen, respond, and remain accessible. They want representatives who can address misinformation, explain policy positions, and provide timely feedback on community concerns. These are not luxuries; they are basic expectations.

Responsiveness is another critical measure of political leadership. Voters want to feel heard. They want to know that their concerns matter. When politicians fail to engage with constituents, they create a perception of indifference. This perception, whether fair or not, often translates into political consequences at the ballot box.

Trust remains the currency of politics. Trust is earned through consistent actions, transparent communication, and a visible commitment to the welfare of the people. It cannot be demanded, and it certainly cannot be achieved through occasional appearances during election seasons.

As Dr. Yusuf Jibril embarks on yet another journey to the House of Representatives, he faces a difficult challenge. The constituency is no longer interested in titles, past appointments, or political slogans. The people want evidence of commitment, accessibility, and genuine concern for their welfare.

If JY hopes to convince voters in Rano, Kibiya, and Bunkure, he must first confront the growing perception that he remains disconnected from the grassroots. Elections are won through relationships, trust, and continuous engagement—not through ambition alone.

The electorate deserves a representative who is visible, responsive, and deeply rooted in the communities he seeks to serve. Whether JY can transform his political style to meet these expectations remains a question that only the voters can answer.

Buhari Abba writes from Unguwar Liman, Rano.

Continue Reading

Politics

Hon. Nazir Alhassan Bachirawa Former UGG/MJB Rep APC Aspirant, Commends  H.E. Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf on Three Years of People-Oriented Administration

Published

2 weeks ago

on

June 4, 2026

By

 

His Excellency,
The Executive Governor of Kano State,
Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf

A TRIBUTE TO HIS EXCELLENCY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 3RD YEAR IN OFFICE*

Your Excellency Sir,

On this milestone of your third year as Executive Governor of Kano State, I and my team join millions of Kano people in celebrating a journey defined by purpose, resilience and measurable impact. The mandate entrusted to you in 2023 has matured into visible progress across every sector.

You have governed like a master builder, not chasing applause, but laying foundations. The roads you revived now pulse with commerce. Classrooms you rebuilt now echo with the voices of tomorrow’s leaders. Health facilities you upgraded now stand as refuges where dignity is restored alongside healing.

What distinguishes your leadership most is your commitment to those who came before us. By settling outstanding gratuities and severance entitlements, you honored the service of retirees and former office holders. That act did more than clear arrears, it restored faith. It reminded every public servant that service to Kano will never be forgotten.

Let us also place on record, our profound respect for one of the most difficult sacrifice, yet far-sighted, decisions of your administration: embracing APC, the party of the central government, in the interest of Kano people. Political alignment at that level requires courage. You chose principle over politics, unity over division and development over discord. By bridging Kano with the center, you positioned our state to attract resources, partnerships and opportunities that would have been out of reach. History will record that as statesmanship, not convenience.

Advert

We also hold in deep respect the political courage you demonstrated by wielding the broom to sweep away entrenched “wall Geckos”, that is, by releasing office holders whose loyalty lay elsewhere so that your government could move forward with one mind and one direction. It was a decisive, difficult act. But history teaches that a house divided cannot stand. By clearing space for men and women who share your vision, you ensured that governance would not be held hostage by inertia. That was statesmanship.

Your Excellency, the choice of *Alhaji Murtala Sule Galadima Garo as your deputy* was a brilliant decision that grounded your administration in Kano. As a grassroots politician, he understands our markets, our wards, and the daily realities of our communities. Like strong roots that keep a tall tree firm in a storm, his close connection to the people gives your government depth, balance, and wider reach. With him by your side, the distance between Government House and the last compound in every local government is shorter, and the voice of ordinary citizens reaches the table of power.

Your Excellency, I and my team believed that your swift response to the security challenges in Gwarzo, Shanono and Tsanyawa proves that the safety of Kano people is not just ink in a manifesto, it is the heartbeat of your administration. Like a vigilant shepherd who moves before the wolf scatters the flock, you acted with urgency to shield lives and property before fear could take root. That same resolve extended to the victims and families shattered by bandit attacks, and to the frontline security personnel standing in harm’s way. You looked beyond the numbers and saw grieving families. You looked beyond duty and saw brave men and women at the frontline. Like a father who binds the wounds of his children while strengthening the hands that guard the gate, you chose to comfort the broken and fortify the brave. In that dual commitment, to protect Kano and to heal Kano, governance is revealed not merely as power, but as humanity.

Accordingly, Your emergence unopposed in the APC primaries and the calm wisdom with which you guided fellow aspirants, further affirmed your role as a unifier. You understood that when leaders contend without restraint, the people bear the cost. You chose consensus. Kano is better for it.

Your Excellency, you carry leadership like the baobab carries its crown, not for show, but to shelter all who stand beneath it. You wear responsibility heavier than any title.

As I write this, I do so as an APC aspirant for UGG/MJB Federal Constituency who, through the party’s consensus process, yielded the ticket in deference to party unity. That decision does not diminish my commitment. It strengthens it. My pledge to the good people of UGG/MJB and to this administration remains unshaken.

May Allah SWT continue to guide you, grant you strength and crown your efforts with success that outlives your stewardship. May your name be etched among those who turned vision into heritage.

Kano is moving. Kano is grateful.

With highest regards,
Naziru Alhassan Bachirawa – Ungogo

Continue Reading

Trending