In Kano, a party’s challenge of unity

Addressing the crowd of CPC supporters that came to witness the gubernatorial flag-off campaign of Mohammed Abacha, the Kano State chairman of the party chapter, Alhaji Dan Azumi Gwarzo thanked people for their patience and sacrifices during the struggle to restore the mandate they gave Abacha. He, however, noted that the huge turnout of supporters […]

Addressing the crowd of CPC supporters that came to witness the gubernatorial flag-off campaign of Mohammed Abacha, the Kano State chairman of the party chapter, Alhaji Dan Azumi Gwarzo thanked people for their patience and sacrifices during the struggle to restore the mandate they gave Abacha. He, however, noted that the huge turnout of supporters at the event was not enough unless they use their numerical strength to vote for the CPC presidential, gubernatorial and legislative candidates at all levels in the forthcoming April general election.

A former Deputy Governor in Kano State, Engineer Magaji Abdullahi, who had contested against Mohammed Abacha during the January 12 gubernatorial primaries, told the gathering that the CPC is now one family. He said individual bitterness by anybody should be put behind to ensure the victory of the party in the coming general elections. The former deputy governor explained that the success of the CPC is greater than individual ambition. He called on every supporter of the CPC to vote massively for General Buhari, Mohammed Abacha and others contesting for elective leadership positions. At this critical moment, he said CPC members should not take unity for granted because its opponents could take advantage of such crack.

When it came to his turn to speak, the CPC gubernatorial candidate for Kano State, Mohammed Abacha was temporarily at a loss for words because he was openly overwhelmed by the expression of goodwill from the people of Kano State. When he finally found his voice, he assured that, if elected, his immediate priority is to evolve practical strategies to tackle the socio-economic challenges confronting the state.

In particular, Abacha said he was determined to restore the glory of Kano State as the centre of commerce. According to him, hostile economic policies have taken a heavy toll on many small businessmen and women in the state. Such harsh economic climate, he noted, has destroyed the incomes of many small- and medium-scale businessmen and women. He argued that, once you enhance the people’s capacity to succeed in their businesses through sound policies, they would become less dependent on government.

On collapsed industries, Mohammed Abacha said he had commissioned a study by a committee of experts to advise him on how the CPC administration would find practical and viable solutions to the challenges. He explained that no economic development can take place without a sound infrastructure to support it.

Restoration of public faith in government seems to be his major preoccupation once elected into office. He particularly, made it clear that the problem of youth unemployment would receive his urgent attention. As a major component of the  society and as a large voting population, he said no responsible government can afford to abandon the youth to their fates in the face of  despair and uncertain future.

Mohammed Abacha warned that youth unemployment can trigger revolutions as recent experiences in North Africa and Middle East have shown. The CPC gubernatorial candidate explained that issue of youth unemployment would be a major item on his agenda once the party is elected into power. On education, he pledged to provide free education for women at all levels and free medical services for all pregnant women. He regretted a situation where 250-300 students and pupils sit in one class to take lessons instead of 32. He said such chaos in education is a slap in the face of our democracy.

Abacha told the people of Kano State that the CPC is the most credible platform for the transformation of the State. He therefore, advised them to vote for the party at all levels, adding that bad leaders have brought Nigeria to its knees. Mohammed Abacha said the people of Kano State should take advantage of their democratic freedom to vote leaders of their choice. He regretted that 12 years of democracy has not brought the much anticipated better quality of life because the people made the mistake of electing bad leaders.

As he flagged of his gubernatorial campaign, Mohammed Abacha should reach out to his opponents who contested against him during the primaries. Even if his opponents maintain a huffy distance, he should go the extra to embrace them. He already declared that he had forgiven whoever offended him during the struggle to reclaim his mandate. This is a major first step to genuine reconciliation.

Galadanci lives at No. 21, Games Village Abuja ([email protected])