By Lamara Garba Azare,

There are men who pass through power and there are men who redefine it. Murtala Ramat Mohammed belonged to that rare breed who carried authority lightly and carried conscience heavily. He was a comrade in uniform, a patriot in spirit, a true son of Africa whose love for this nation was not performed for applause but proven through action.

He rose to lead the most populous Black nation on earth, yet power never altered his posture or polluted his character. He remained simple in conduct, measured in speech and humble in lifestyle. He never allowed the office to swallow the man. While others would have embraced sirens and spectacle, he chose restraint. His convoy moved without blaring horns. He obeyed traffic lights like every other citizen. He respected traffic wardens as custodians of public order.

There is that unforgettable moment when a traffic officer, having recognized his car, stopped other motorists to allow him pass. The General was displeased. The warden was punished for denying other road users their right of way, and his driver was sternly warned for attempting to move against traffic. In that simple but powerful incident, he taught a nation that no one is above the law, not even the Head of State. Leadership for him was not exemption from rules but submission to them.

His humility went even deeper. Often, dressed in private attire, he would visit markets quietly, blending into the crowd to ask about the prices of food and daily commodities. He wanted to feel the pulse of ordinary Nigerians. He wanted to understand how families were coping. He believed policies should not be crafted from distant offices alone but from lived realities. That simple habit revealed a leader who listened before he acted and who measured governance by the condition of the common man.

When he assumed power in 1975, he did so without plunging the country into bloodshed. In a continent where coups often left painful scars, his intervention was swift and calculated, aimed at correcting a drift rather than destroying the state. It reflected firmness guided by restraint. He was a soldier, yes, but one who understood that strength without humanity is weakness in disguise.

In barely six months, he moved with urgency that startled the establishment. Files that once gathered dust began to move. Decisions were taken with clarity. He restructured the civil service in a bold attempt to restore efficiency and discipline. He initiated the process that led to the relocation of the capital to Abuja, a decision born of foresight and national balance. He confronted corruption without apology and made it clear that public office was a trust to be guarded, not an opportunity to be exploited.

His voice on the continental stage was equally resolute. When he declared that Africa has come of age, he was not uttering rhetoric. He was announcing a shift in posture. Nigeria under his watch stood firm in support of liberation movements and insisted on African dignity in global affairs. He believed that this continent deserved respect earned through courage and self confidence.

Then, just as the nation began to feel the rhythm of disciplined governance, tragedy struck on February 13, 1976. Bullets interrupted a vision. A country stood still in shock. Africa mourned one of its brightest sons. He had ruled for only a short season, yet the weight of his impact surpassed the length of his tenure.

Perhaps if he had remained longer, Nigeria would have charted a different course. Perhaps institutions would have grown around principle rather than convenience. Perhaps accountability would have become culture rather than campaign language. We can only imagine. But what cannot be imagined away is the moral clarity he represented.

Today, when citizens speak about abandoned ideals and weakened standards, his memory returns like a measuring rod. When convoys roar past traffic lights with entitlement, his quiet obedience becomes a silent rebuke. When policies lose touch with the marketplace realities of ordinary people, we remember the Head of State who walked into markets in simple clothes to ask the price of garri and rice.

He was not perfect, but he was purposeful. He did not govern to decorate history books. He governed to correct a nation. He detested corruption because he understood the damage it inflicts on the weakest citizens. He valued humility because he knew that power is fleeting but accountability before Almighty Allah is eternal.

Nigeria lost more than a leader. Africa lost a rare gem whose patriotism was sincere and whose heart beat for the dignity of his people. We pray that Allah grants Murtala Ramat Mohammed Aljannatul Firdaus and illuminates his resting place. We pray that his sacrifices count for him in the hereafter. And we pray that Nigeria rediscovers the discipline, courage and sincerity that defined his brief but remarkable stewardship.

Some leaders occupy office. Others transform it. Murtala Ramat Mohammed transformed it. His six months continue to echo across five decades because they were anchored in conviction and service.

Until Nigeria fully embraces integrity in leadership, until Africa truly stands in the maturity he proclaimed, his story will remain both our inspiration and our challenge. His life reminds us that greatness is not measured by duration in power but by depth of impact, not by noise but by noble action, not by privilege but by principle.

He came, he led, and though he left too soon, he still speaks through the standard he set.

Lamara Garba Azare, a veteran journalist writes from Kano

By Bala Ibrahim.

The ambition of the justice system, as highlighted in the law books I read, is to maintain social order and public safety by enforcing laws, upholding the rule of law, and resolving conflicts fairly. It acts to protect individual rights, provide justice for victims, punish offenders, and rehabilitate criminals to prevent future offenses. I am not a lawyer, but having practiced journalism for decades, I am very conversant with the meaning of the word, fair. Fair hearing, fair trial, fair presumption and fairness in the resolution of conflicts. By my understanding, the best process of resolving conflicts should involve peace or peaceful and mutually satisfactory solutions, through listening to the parties and negotiating with them in order to find a comprise or address the root causes of the problem. Ultimately, and without engaging in emotion, the goal is to reach a solution that satisfies all parties. That way, you arrive at a “win-win” situation, thereby avoiding conflict.

America’s status, as the beacon of human rights, justice and democracy, is being contested, because of its regular prioritisation of interests over values. This deliberate bias of interest is making the meaning of fairness ridiculous. And by extension, putting a question mark on the historically projected position of the United States, as the beacon of justice and fair play. As I write this article, some American lawmakers have introduced a bill to the US Congress, seeking to impose sanctions on the former Governor of Kano state and former Minister of Defence, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, over allegations of violations of religious freedom. To the best of my knowledge, no one made attempt to hear from Kwankwaso. According to the provisions of the bill, Kwankwaso is identified as one of the individuals contributing to systemic religious “persecution of Christians that has persisted” in Nigeria.

Let me start by putting the records straight. I am not a supporter of Kwankwaso. We belong to different political parties and we have differences in ideological beliefs. But our differences not withstanding, I am totally in disagreement with the position of those behind the bill that is seeking to sanction him. It is wrong, very wrong and brazenly in conflict with the meaning of fairness. Even the local and international observers of events that are unfolding in Nigeria, would vehemently disagree with that claim. Kwankwaso can be crucified for some sins, political sins, but to implicate him in religious persecution is not only ridiculous but loudly laughable. Anyone familiar with Kwankwaso, knows that he doesn’t belong to the class of people engaged in religious fanatism. Far from that. It is probably an attempt by the powerful, to give the powerless a bad name, in order to hang him. And that smells like a jow jow with jungle justice, I think.

It reminds me of that old book, written by George Orwell, called the Animal Farm. The famous line from the book says, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” For some reasons, today, America is acting like a country that is in the script of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. The Animal Farm was written based on the Russian Revolution concept, by showing how those in power can be corrupt and how they can oppress the people they’re supposed to help. In todays world, the “Almighty” America is playing the bully, by hurting or attempting to hurt or frighten, some people or countries, so as to force them to do something that they do not want to do. Nigeria has since fallen into the category of those victims. And now, attempt is being made to unjustly, add the name of Kwankwaso.

It is heartening to hear that his movement, the Kwankwasiyya movement, through the NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, had issued a statement, describing the whole thing as a blackmail. “The months before the latest development, Kwankwaso had openly reacted when President Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious persecution. Kwankwaso cautioned against what he described as oversimplified characterizations of Nigeria’s internal challenges. Kwankwaso stated that it was important to emphasize that our country is a sovereign nation whose people face different threats from outlaws across the country.”-Johnson.

Indeed America is acting according to the 7 rules in the Animal Farm, which goes thus:
1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2 Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3.No animal shall wear clothes.
4.No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5.No animal shall drink alcohol.
6.No animal shall kill any other animal.
7.All animals are equal, BUT some animals are more equal than others.

I cant talk about MACBAN and the two others, whose names appeared alongside that of Kwankwaso, but despite my political disagreement with him, I can attest to the religious tolerance of Eng. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. So, the US Congrees men should put on their thinking caps, and know that the name to put in there, is not Kwankwaso.

By Abubakar shehu kwaru

Let me begin by confessing that, going by the little knowledge i acquired when I was an undergraduate at Bayero university Kano, about two decades ago on the qualities of good leader as contained in the fourteen principles of Henry Fayol, a scholar of business administration as
according to him, a leader must be honest, hard working, responsible, exemplary , discipline, knowledgeable, conceptual thinker, decent and above all be able to unite subordinates.

On the other hand, some scholars are of the view that some people were born to lead and are charismatic in nature hence possess qualities of good leadership but unfortunately they are rare in a given environment.

Way back in 2007, when i attended a Millennium Development Goals MDG youth sensitisation programme organised by citizenship and leadership Training centre Abuja,
absolutely, during the fora, we were specifically taught on the attributes of a credible leader.

A leader with the aforementioned qualities in the contemporary days can be a special or an extra ordinary person whom can be lonely amidst thousands of people, that is why I picked Honourable Murtala Sule Garo as my idol thus, the writing is solely on him.

You can believe me if I confess that I am lucky in my long research and findings having of few potentials to the very sensitive and most top ranking positions in the commercial nerve centre in the west Africa sub-region.

Bearing in mind that, sometimes ‘man proposes but God disposses ‘ as God time is the best and boldly speaking, what He destined in you is the best despite your hastiness, anxiety, qualifications, exposure and massive admiration.

It will be recalled that, way back during 2023 elections, the All progressive Congress (APC) anointed the then Deputy Governor Dr Nasir Yusuf Gawuna and Honourable Murtala Sule Garo (aka commander) as its flag bearers for Governor and Deputy Governor ‘s seats in kano respectively but the dream was not practical as God the supreme being has chosen the incumbent chief executive Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf for the exalted post .

The secret behind the nomination of these candidates absolutely, would not be unconnected with their track records in politics and their superb rapport with the wider society.

Take the running mate Honourable murtala Sule Garo for example, a considerate, amiable, courageous , kind-hearted dedicated, hard working, agile, peace loving, patriotic and a leader par excellence who has all the qualities of steering a state like Kano if accorded the mandate.

Honourable Murtala Sule Garo was born about five decades away in Garo town of kabo local government area, Kano north senatorial district and hailed from a royal family as his father Alhaji Sule Galadima Garo of blessed memory was a traditional title holder (Galadiman Garo).

He attended both islamic and western education schools since his childhood before he joined politics.

Garo was onetime state organising secretary of Peoples Democratic Party PDP until his election as Executive chairman of Kabo local government council in 2013 and consequently chairman of All local government of Nigeria (ALGON) Kano chapter during the second tenure of senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso as Governor, a position that opens up and exposed the ability, capacity and leadership attributes of the young talented political icon in kano.

Honourable murtala Sule Garo as time goes on was appointed commissioner for local government by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in 2015 and reappointed him on similar post in 2019 in view of his effort in matching words with actions hence called with several handsome names that matches his traits.

It is no longer a story that Commander as he is fondly called by his admirers used all available means in transforming lives of many irrespective of their party affiliations as well as gave free hands to council chairmen to observe their spelt out functions.

Definitely, describing murtala Sule Garo as the type of politician that Kano needs the most especially in this present situation when the state Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is committed in turning Kano to a mega city which is one of the major reasons that
compelled him to decamp from NNPP to APC recently.

There is no doubt that, selecting a workaholic, resilient, and true democrat will steadily but surely reboost the cardinal objectives, policies and programmes of the present administration in the state.

Delightfully, With Garo as second in command, by virtue of his political antecedents Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf will sleep with two eyes closed.

The lieutenants behind the Grand commandant (Garo) will be all out and ready for the battle including his immediate successor at the ministry for local government and former Executive chairman of Nassarawa local government council and ALGON Chairman then, Honourable Lamin Sani Kawaji as well as Former Executive chairman of Karaye local government council and Garo’s successor at ALGON level Honourable Ibrahim Ahmad Karaye (Madaki).

Other commanders are former Executive chairmen of Kano municipal Mukhtari Ishaq Yakasai, Honourable Saleh Kausani of wudil, Abubakar Ali Minister of Ungogo, Honourable Ibrahim Hamisu Rimi of Sumaila but to mention a few.

In the quest to ensure good and transparent administration, credible, reliable and grassroot politicians must be brought forward aimed at attaining better results.

That is why people like Murtala Sule Garo will righteously and honestly be an outstanding pairing partner to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf when the time comes as they have similar attributes which is glaringly serving the community to the best of their ability.