By Abba Anwar

While some cowards, political appointees in federal government’s positions, refused to resign from their offices, in anticipation of their political careers against 2027 general elections, former member of the House of Representatives, from Tarauni federal constituency, Hon Hafizu Kawu (OON), (mni), did not resign for two or three fundamental reasons. He has never been a coward before now.

First and foremost, he refused to resign, because, his resignation would hit hard at Kano state. In his current position, he is representing North-West geopolitical zone. National Commissioner (Technical), at National Pension Commission (PENCOM). So when he resigns, Kano state would definitely be at the receiving end. Because there is no assurance that the position would be maintained in Kano. His love for his state supercedes other personal interests.

After his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, effective August 7, 2025, confirmation by the Senate and inauguration as part of the PENCOM Board, by the Secretary to the Federal Government, he promised to work tirelessly, to advance PENCOM’s objectives, strengthen pension administration, and safeguard the welfare of retirees across Nigeria.

As the position of Kawu was seen by many as portrayal of a good Ambassador from Kano, it is also understood as part of President Tinubu’s strategy to reposition key federal agencies for improved efficiency, making youth at the centrestage. With the confidence reposed in Kawu by Tinubu, his presence there, at the Commission, is highly needed and desirable. Not only by Kano people, but by all North-West people. Across our seven states.

No strange to federal positions and appointments, Kawu was Member, House of Representatives for Tarauni Federal Constituency, Kano (2019–2023), on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC). He served as Special Assistant to former Vice President, Prof, Yemi Osinbajo, GCON, (2015–2019). For national recognition and honour, he is the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), conferred in 2022. Kawu is Member, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, (mni), Kuru, Near Jos. A university graduate, with many certifications.

The second reason why he didn’t resign is, yes he has all it takes to contest for the position, but his special interest in the party unity, genuine membership cohesion and leadership honest consolidation, partly inform his decision not to contest. As some may argue that, his popularity, grip to the grassroot and political strength, are placed above other aspirants. With all the qualities, with all his pedigree and with the development he brought to his constituency, when he was a member, he quietly removed himself from the potential contestants.

Honourable Kawu’s strength and influence among the electorate, make him a focused political icon and juggernaut in Tarauni. As people look up to him, seeking for political direction come 2027. Though he is not contesting, he still has the power to do and undo in his primary constituency, at least. Or rather at best.

Apart from the incumbent member, the major contender for this position, is Hon Aminu Bala Ja’oji. Who recently resigned as Senior Special Assistant to the President, on Citizenship and Leadership. While he too, is another political king in his own right, his major obstacle is, the refusal of some notable politicians from Tarauni to support his ambition.

I was able to eavesdrop that, Ja’oji’s major political opponents are ganging up against him. As there was insinuation, which is yet to be ascertain that, he would get an automatic ticket. Automatic ticket could be possible and accepted in some federal constituencies in Kano, but in Tarauni, it could be vanity upon vanity.

With the undisputed influence and strength of Kawu in Tarauni politics, a possibility of dark horse is not penciled down. I learned that, some have started coming up with new strategies, new possibilities, new engagements, new interested minds and new normal. Whether true or false, Kawu may not support the candidature of Ja’oji.

Regardless of the arrangement, Kawu’s non-participation in the process as a contestant, will prove further, to all, who between him, Ja’oji and the incumbent [I don’t know if he is in APC or not] commands more respect from the party leadership and followership. If Tarauni is having parallel leadership structures, then the tug-of-war will be more interesting to watch from a distance.

For healthier, clearer and more interesting political competition, for the 2027 Tarauni election, some may suggest that Kawu should not aid Ja’oji get the ticket. And Ja’oji shouldn’t aid Kawu’s preferred aspirant, to get the ticket, during the nomination process. But when any of them gets it, then political alignment and realignment is quite normal and proper. The choice is theirs!

While in some federal constituencies, automatic ticket means peace, harmony, genuine consensus and sign of victory, in Tarauni federal constituency, automatic ticket means disaster, danger and self-defeat. Examples of where automatic ticket means peace, harmony and strategy, are Dala, Tudunwada/Doguwa, Bichi, Municipal, federal constituencies among others.

This piece is not interested in discussing Senatorial of Gubernatorial positions. Or State House of Assembly positions. The context is limited only to federal constituencies; House of Representatives.

Anwar writes from Kano
Thursday, 16th April, 2026

Resolution of the Old APC stakeholders’ meeting held last night regarding the nomination of Deputy Governor of Kano State following the resignation of former Deputy Governor Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo.

Based on this, His Excellency the Governor of Kano State, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf, gave the former APC members the opportunity to nominate 3 individuals to present to him so he can select one that everyone agrees on.

Engr. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi expressed his interest. He is currently the Chairman of the Hadejia-Jamare River Basin Authority. He received support only from the former Kano APC Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Abbas.

Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum also got support only from the former Kano APC Secretary, Hon. Ibrahim Zakari Sarina. He is currently the House of Representatives member representing Rano/Kibiya and Bunkure Local Governments.

Hon. Murtala Sule Garo was the former APC Deputy Governorship candidate in the 2023 general election where they got a significant number of votes…

He is from the same federal constituency as the former Deputy Governor who resigned.

Hon. Garo received backing from Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Hon. Abubakar Bichi, Hon. Abdulmumin Kofa, Hon. Sani Bala, Eng. Hamisu Cidari, Hon. Abdullahi M Gwarzo, Hon. Abdullahi Rogo, Hon. Sagir Koki, Hon. Yusuf Badau, Alh. Abdulsalam AA Zaura, Sen. Bashir Lado, ATM Gwarzo, Alh. Nasir Koki, and APC state assembly members, Minority Leader, Hon. Labaran Abdul Madari, Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Ayuba Labaran and 9 others making almost 90% of the Stakeholders.

Then Malam Salihu Takai and Alh. Usman Alhaji were also debated with, on the argument that Kano South must be considered, but they have no candidate.

Now awaiting the final Nomination by His Excellency the Executive, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

By Abba Anwar

Amid Engulfing Political Brouhaha in Kano State, His Excellency, Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau I Jibrin, CFR, has recently been busy empowering hundreds of thousands of his constituents, with the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100, 000), each.

As the polity is tensed recently with the exit of two APC heavyweights, joining African Democratic Congress (ADC), His Excellency Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, the immediate past Deputy Governor, who was the Gubernatorial flagbearer of the APC, in 2023 election and the former Governor of the state, His Excellency Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, Senator Barau keeps eyes on the development of party members, particularly in his constituency, Kano North zone.

While politicians are busy discussing the new political wave in the state, DSP Barau has since flagged-off the grand empowerment programme for his constituents. Is in continuation of his efforts to stimulate economic activities across the Kano North Senatorial District and other parts of the state. This, at the expense of soured political engagements, being witnessed.

As his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Hon. Shitu Madaki Kunchi, his Senior Legislative Aide, Hon Kabiru Ado Lakwaya, along other dignitaries represented the Senator for the take-off recently. Which from there all local governments committees were dispatched to all the 13 local governments across Kano North Senatorial District. To fully take charge of the effective implementation of the programme.

The programme will go through December, this year, 2026. It is a year-round intervention. Visible tension in some quarters, already started subsiding. As people are kept busy with economic reinforcement.

A total of 15,600 persons would be given a N100,000 capital grant in 12 months across 13 LGAs of the Kano North Senatorial District. Each of the LGAs will have 100 beneficiaries monthly for 12 months. This is part of the correct measures taken to purposely engineer economic growth for individuals and their families. Grown and independent economy first, before any other thing.

After inauguration of the grand programme, the representative of the DSP, Hon Madaki, urged all committees that were raised for the activity, Special Assistants, Senior Legislative Aides to the DSP and all other stakeholders across the zone, to make sure that the programme succeeds.

When we look at it critically, we can say, Senator Jibrin is doing it differently. In a traditional way of such empowerment programmes, it is the sum of either Ten Thousand Naira (N10,000) or Twenty Thousand Naira (N20,000) that are distributed to beneficiaries. But Senator’s programme goes beyond that, with the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) to each beneficiary.

With the kind of political tension ravaging the state, across, the ruling and other opposition parties, this empowerment programme comes at a better time, to douse tension and make people busy, being empowered economically.

The important and essential aspect of the programme, in cushioning the effect of hardship, felt in the land, is that the positive result does not stop at the 15,600 beneficiaries, through one year duration of the project. It is an initiative with multiplier effect. Under each and every beneficiary, out of their total number of 15,600, there are other dependents, as immediate families, other relations and friends.

The sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira, even in urban setting, isn’t a joke, for small businesses. Not to talk of rural communities. With this development, many people will definitely turn blind eyes on the political tension springing up, in the state recently. The empowerment will take people away from being possessors of idle mind. Which has always been a devil’s workshop.

So without fear of contradiction, I can posit that, Distinguished Senator’s clear understanding of our setting, is not only an asset to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in Kano, but also to the government and good people of the state. Bravo my Senator, Bravo.

Less interested in unnecessary political debates, criticisms and counter-criticisms, he believes that, intervention in man’s development is primary. While any other things are secondary. Because of this foresight, in the pipeline, is another plan advanced to cater for other categories of people. Under it, for example in the transportation sector, 130 vehicles will be allocated to various groups to enhance the Kano North Transport Services. This is just as 1,000 motorcycles would be distributed to commercial riders, headmasters, teachers, students and other categories of people across Kano North Senatorial District.

Women are not left out. They too, meet DSP’s magnanimous engagement. As no fewer than 1,300 sewing machines and 1,300 grinding machines are set for distribution to 2,600 women. Additionally, 1,300 deep freezers and 1,300 noodle-making machines, along with bags of flour, are set aside to small-scale business owners to support food processing, storage, and other income-generating ventures across the senatorial district.

To the chagrin of all, he doesn’t keep secondary schools students and pupils away from benefiting, under his people-oriented projects, For the young students, 1,300 bicycles are set aside distribution to school children in the Senatorial district to ease transportation challenges and enhance access to education.

While the heated polity keeps many away from remembering their constituents, His Excellency, the Deputy Senate President, keeps his eyes on all categories for accessing dividends of democracy, for safe growth and development. Under this, for sports development, jerseys and footballs would be provided to 1,950 teams. A total of 150 teams will benefit from each of the 13 LGAs in Kano North Senatorial District to promote grassroots sports development and provide opportunities for young people to showcase their talents.

Understanding the basic fact that, all parts of Kano need similar interventions, he also assured that, similar things would be extended to other zones, of Kano Central and Kano South, after its completion in Kano North.

Observers believe that, the tensions engulfing the state recently, could be address squarely through multi-faceted interventions. Like the ones brought to limelight by the people’s DSP.

Investigation reveals that, some thousands of universities students and other tertiary institutions, who benefited from Barau I Jibrin Education Foundation’s Scholarship Scheme, are planning to stage a solidarity procession for the Senator. But he turned down the plan, urging them to concentrate on their studies.

His words to them, “Please concentrate on your studies. Don’t over-heat the polity. This is not what we need. We need peaceful coexistence, mutual understanding of our political realities, growth and development of our dear state and our motherland, Nigeria.”

A gentleman with indelible taste of peace, tranquility, a quintessential leader of quality substance, strong, focused, down-to-earth intellectual, kind-hearted national leader, detribalised legislator, with sound skills for debate and enduring political actor.

He also called on those who are currently attending post-graduate courses across the globe, sponsored by the his Foundation, to also face their studies and come back home with flying colours, at the completion of their studies.

He urged them to continue as good Ambassadors for Kano state and Nigeria. While concentrating on their studies. Adding that, “Mingle with other people across the globe. Meet other Africans and see how you can aid Africa’s sustainable development.”

Distinguished Senator speaking as an able First Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament. Whose interest has always been regional integration, Africa’s development and global cohesion among cultures and settlements.

Anwar writes from Kano
Friday, 10th April, 2026