By Dr Usman Sarki Madobi

Political power rarely collapses overnight. More often, it unravels slowly, weighed down by history, memory, and the quiet reckoning of past actions. The steady decline of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s once-formidable political dynasty in Kano is best understood not as coincidence or bad luck, but as political payback. It is a reminder that in politics, as in life, those who help you rise matter, and the cost of betrayal is eventually collected.

Kwankwaso did not emerge in a vacuum, his political journey was shaped, guided, and sustained by mentors and allies who believed in his potential long before he became a household name. Among them was the late Senator Hamisu Musa, a crucial figure in Kwankwaso’s early political career. Hamisu Musa mentored him, opened doors, and helped him establish the contacts necessary to enter the House of Representatives before contesting the governorship at later time, and without such foundational support, Kwankwaso’s rise would have been far more difficult. Yet, history records that this alliance ended in bitterness, with both men eventually standing on opposite sides due to what many viewed as Kwankwaso’s betrayal. The same pattern repeated itself with other political benefactors such as late Musa Gwadabe and Engr. Magaji Abdullahi, both of blessed memory who invested their time, trust, and political capital in Kwankwaso. However, instead of being rewarded with loyalty or respect, they were sidelined when their interests no longer aligned with his ambition.

Perhaps the earliest and most symbolic fracture was with Abubakar Rimi. Rimi, being a political heavyweight, expected to play the role of godfather and chief conductor of the Kwankwaso administration and this was not unusual in Nigerian politics, where senior figures often guide protégés from behind the scenes. Kwankwaso, however, asserted his independence and insisted on running the government himself. While this stance earned him admiration from some quarters, it also marked the beginning of a reputation for political ingratitude and intolerance of shared power. Rimi’s eventual withdrawal of support was not just personal; it signaled to others that alliances with Kwankwaso were conditional and expendable.

Moreover, the rivalry between Kwankwaso and Alhaji Musa Gwadabe further deepened this narrative. Both of them were influential figures within the PDP in the early 2000s, and their conflict over party leadership, candidacies, and control of the party structure became one of Kano’s most defining political battles. Allegations that Kwankwaso sought Gwadabe’s removal from ministerial office only reinforced perceptions of intolerance and power consolidation. What could have been managed as internal party disagreement instead became another chapter in a growing list of broken relationships.
Ironically, at his lowest point, when Rimi, Musa Gwadabe, and Dangalan distanced themselves due to what they described as Kwankwaso’s political excesses and constant crises, one man stood firmly by him. Ambassador Aminu Wali became the only leader among the Kano PDP conveners that remained loyal, and helped Kwankwaso during the turbulent times. History, however, shows that even such loyalty did not translate into lasting trust, as Kwankwaso later fall out with many who once defended him against the odds.

The Ganduje episode provides perhaps the clearest illustration of history coming full circle. In 1999, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje won the PDP gubernatorial primaries but was persuaded by party stakeholders to accept Kwankwaso as his running mate in the interest of unity. Years later, when Ganduje became governor in 2015, Kwankwaso attempted to exert control over his administration. Ganduje’s refusal to submit led to a dramatic and bitter split. Today, critics argue that Kwankwaso is repeating the same controlling approach with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, reducing him to a political puppet in pursuit of personal interests again, at odds with the wishes of many in Kano State.

Recent defections within the NNPP appear to be the final confirmation of a long-standing pattern. The departure of figures such as Hon. Aliyu Madakin Gini, Hon. Kabiru Alhasan Rurum, Secretary to the Kano State Government Dr. Baffa Bichi, and other key stakeholders is widely seen as vindication for those who left Kwankwaso years earlier. Leaders like Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Alhaji Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, Arch. Aminu Dabo, and others had warned of Kwankwaso’s autocratic and self-centered leadership style long before it became publicly undeniable but Kwankwaso remained adamant.

In the end, the collapse of Kwankwaso’s political dynasty is less about external opposition and more about internal erosion. A movement built on personal control rather than mutual respect cannot endure. The ladder that lifted him was kicked away rung by rung, not by enemies, but by the memories of those who felt used, discarded, and betrayed.

Politics never forgets. And in Kano, history has finally returned the favor.

*Usman Suleiman Sarki Madobi, Ph.D.*

​By Ibrahim Aliyu Karaye

​The political atmosphere in Kano State has recently been thick with rumors and “jubilations” regarding the potential defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from the NNPP to the All Progressives Congress (APC). While some elements within our party are celebrating this as a strategic move to “block” certain ambitions, it is crucial to temper this excitement with a dose of hard political reality. In the hierarchy of power and party leadership, some seem to have forgotten that the APC is a party of order, respect, and established leadership.
​First and foremost, it must be stated clearly: Senator Barau Jibrin is not just a member of the APC; he is the No. 5 Citizen of Nigeria and the Deputy President of the Senate. By virtue of this high office, he is the highest political office holder from Kano State. In the eyes of the National Leadership and the Presidency, Senator Barau remains the most influential political leader and the primary point of call within the Kano APC fold—take it or leave it.
​To those busy jubilating with the belief that a serving governor’s arrival will truncate Senator Barau’s 2027 aspirations, we see you. We are fully aware of the “secret romance” many of these detractors have maintained with the NNPP since the 2023 elections. These elements, who were neither here nor there during our party’s hours of need, now believe they can dictate the terms of engagement. However, they should realize they are not part of the top-level decision-making process. When the time comes for high-level negotiations regarding any return or defection to the APC, it is Senator Barau Jibrin, along with other elected party leaders, who will facilitate the process. Your “paymasters” will likely find themselves waiting on the balcony while the real decisions are made inside.
​Senator Barau Jibrin has proven himself to be a patient, focused, and strategic leader. He is not in a desperate hurry to realize his political dreams. While others play “spoiler” games, he is busy building the party, recently facilitating the defection of high-ranking NNPP officials into the APC. The APC is a big tent, but no one should mistake a new entry for a takeover. Senator Barau remains the primary gatekeeper of the party’s interests in Kano, and those celebrating his perceived “setback” should save their tears for later. The future of Kano APC will be negotiated by those who have stayed loyal, led by the Deputy President of the Senate himself.

​Ibrahim Aliyu Karaye
APC Member, Kano State
ibrahimkaraye27@gmail.com

For more than six years, Sa’adatu Shehu Uba, the visionary Founder of APNAN Foundation and Chief Executive Officer of APNAN Investment, has remained a beacon of hope for women striving for economic independence in Kano State.

Driven by passion, purpose, and an unshakable belief in women’s potential, Sa’adatu Shehu Uba has successfully transformed the lives of over two thousand women, equipping them with practical skills, entrepreneurial knowledge, and humanitarian support that enable them to become self-reliant contributors to society.

Through APNAN Foundation, she has pioneered a wide range of entrepreneurship-driven empowerment programmes, including salon and beauty training, detergent and perfume production, catering services, makeup artistry, beadwork (bitwork), and other vocational skills tailored to market demand. These initiatives have not only created sustainable sources of income for beneficiaries but have also restored dignity, confidence, and hope among women who once faced economic uncertainty.

Beyond skills acquisition, Sa’adatu’s intervention extends to humanitarian support, reaching widows, vulnerable women, and those facing social and financial hardship. Her approach combines compassion with capacity-building, ensuring that empowerment goes beyond handouts to lasting impact.

Under her leadership, APNAN Investment has complemented the foundation’s mission by providing business guidance and mentorship, helping women translate newly acquired skills into thriving micro-enterprises. Many beneficiaries today run successful small businesses, support their families, and serve as role models within their communities.

Sa’adatu Shehu Uba’s work stands as a powerful testament to how purposeful leadership and grassroots entrepreneurship can drive social change. Her commitment to women’s economic empowerment continues to strengthen families, reduce poverty, and contribute meaningfully to Kano State’s socio-economic development.

As APNAN Foundation looks to the future, its founder’s legacy of service, innovation, and empowerment remains an inspiration—proof that when women are empowered, communities flourish