2011: Will Mohammed Abacha really run in Kano?

As the Kano State PDP poises itself to snatch power from the ANPP, it requires putting its house in order because a house divided against itself cannot stand. Because of the fissiparous and fragile nature of the party structure, the Kano Sate PDP needs a strong and neutral candidate who owes his loyalty to the […]

As the Kano State PDP poises itself to snatch power from the ANPP, it requires putting its house in order because a house divided against itself cannot stand. Because of the fissiparous and fragile nature of the party structure, the Kano Sate PDP needs a strong and neutral candidate who owes his loyalty to the electorate rather than the so-called godfathers. The party is vulnerably factionalized, torn between Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwanso, Ghali Umar Na-Abba, Alhaji Aminu Wali and other big-wigs who want to control the soul and destiny of the party.

Surely, Kano State is politically significant to the PDP which controls most of the states in the country. Numerically strong and commercially significant, it is understandable why the ruling party is keen on winning Kano State. However, with the current level of factionalization, can the party make the much needed inroad in 2011?

Of course, it is never too late to recognize this serious problem and nip it in the bud or else the party will become a victim of its own miscalculation. Part of the solution is to allow the emergence of neutral candidates to overcome the problem of split loyalties to the party’s godfathers. One is particularly pleased that the son of the late Gen. Sani Abacha, Mohammed Abacha, has indicated interest in the 2011 gubernatorial race in Kano State. His late father had identified significantly with Kano State while he was in power. As a result of that bond with his people, many indigenes of Kano State were appointed into top federal positions, including that of the Group Managing Director of the NNPC.

Though of Kanuri extraction, Gen. Abacha identified more with Kano State than Borno State. His passion for Kano State was deeper than any of us can imagine.    One cannot therefore understand why some narrow-minded Nigerians should pour needless abuses on Mohammed Abacha and his family just because he indicated interest to contest the governorship election of Kano State in 2011. A case in point was the article by Bala Mohammed Makosa (Desert Herald 4th – 11th August 2009), in which he freely called Mohammed and his father unprintable names.

In democracy, sovereignty belongs to the people and it is therefore not Makosa’s business to challenge the right of any citizen from seeking the mandate of his people. Mohammed Abacha is legitimately entitled to seek public office just as Iyabo Obasanjo is seeking to contest the Ogun State gubernatorial race. Iyabo Obasanjo is currently a Senator and why didn’t Makosa advised the people of Ogun State against electing her into her present position?

However, let him answer the following simple questions. If indeed, Abacha was the epitome of corruption, why didn’t corruption come to an end after Abacha’s death? Why did corruption grow like weed under the nose and feet of “Saint” Obasanjo? Why with only 9 billion dollars in foreign reserve, the late Gen. Abacha was able to improve the conditions of roads, hospitals, railway system and other public infrastructure though the PTF intervention agency?

From 1999 to 2007, Nigeria lost an estimated N1.2 trillion to corruption and yet Abacha was neither in office nor alive during these notorious periods of epic national official robbery! It is the height of puerility to vilify the memory of Abacha and dismiss his tremendous positive impact in just five years in office. Inflation, unemployment, hunger, poverty, poor health standard and insecurity became our daily companions during eight years of Obasanjo.

Makosa’s attack on the Abachas is unwarranted aggression and millions of Nigerians don’t share his flawed logic. Rather than questioning the right of Mohammed Abacha to seek the mandate of his people, Makosa should go back to his people and test his own acceptance. We are in a democracy and any citizen without a record of criminal conviction is entitled to contest public office.                

The future of Mohammed Abacha’s ambition is in the hands of God and the people of Kano State. Are they not capable of evaluating the relevance of any aspirant in their lives? Makosa should stop being an idle intruder and hate-monger in Kano politics. It is not his business to curse any family and deny them the right to participate in the political life of their people.

Gaya wrote in from Block 31, Kakuri, Kaduna