Kano 2015: Kwankwasiyya and the race to Government House

From the heavyweights, the lightweights, down to featherweights, the aspirants are making waves, stating either their achievements or what they have in store for the people of Kano State. The electoral prospects of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are high in view of the party’s long standing grassroots support in the state. Even before a […]

From the heavyweights, the lightweights, down to featherweights, the aspirants are making waves, stating either their achievements or what they have in store for the people of Kano State.

The electoral prospects of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are high in view of the party’s long standing grassroots support in the state. Even before a group of disgruntled members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) joined the party, the clannish governance style, insecurity, corruption and bigotry of the ruling party has made the APC very popular in Kano State.
So far, nothing has actually changed the foregoing equation. Rather, the fortune of the party is augmenting steadily. But the political turf is on the pause mode. The formidable contestants are already on their mark while the weaker ones are still warming up for the race, awaiting the command of the supreme commander of the Kwankwasiyya movement.
But in politics, you have to have the willpower and courage to stand on your feet without wedging your political weight on somebody. A weak candidate is one who cannot market himself to the people, or express interest without being beckoned to do so by a godfather. To the dismay of the Kwankwasiyya camp, Kawu has already purchased nomination form for the party’s primaries. Kawu is, to say the least, courageous for daring the command and becoming a factor in the forthcoming election.
In the Kwankwasiyya camp, the governor has openly asked people willing to aspire to any political post in the APC to hold on for “our decision”, but he went ahead to purchase his presidential form without waiting for anybody’s nod. Of course he has cheekily asked those who insist on obtaining the form before “our decision” to go ahead, but it was a cautionary statement telling the party aspirants that the ‘real’ nomination forms are in his closet.
One may describe the Kwankwasiyya house as calm. It is nothing but uneasy calm. Obviously, it is a house of commotion. The deputy governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is also in the race, although he is treading with caution in order not to draw the ire of his principal. While other Kwankwasiyya aspirants are tactically mute, Ganduje is deftly campaigning by proxy. Although he has been with the governor as his deputy since 1999, there is a strong indication that the governor may opt for another candidate other than him. This will bring rift in the camp and precipitate a protest vote that will lead to the emergence of a candidate outside the Kwankwasiyya fold.  
Already, Kawu Sumaila is neck-deep into meetings and consultations with party stakeholders, party leaders and delegates. Given the fact that the legacy parties that formed the APC – ANPP, CPC and ACN – have at least 40 per cent control of the governorship election delegates, there is a strong indication that Kawu can get a large haul in the Kwankwasiyya should there be any storm in the camp. The fact is that storm is imminent in the Kwankwasiyya camp.
Kawu, a fearless legislator who has served his constituency meritoriously from 2003 till date, has stood out among other aspirants. His scorecard as a lawmaker is embellished with colourful achievements. In his Takai/Sumaila federal constituency, Kawu’s achievements are unsurpassed. Apart from his multiple constituency projects, the lawmaker was able to fetch projects worth N500 million at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH).
He also facilitated the N2 billion Senate Building at Bayero University, Kano. He has proved his mettle at the House by sponsoring a number of bills and leading in dozens of debates. He rose to become one of the most fearless and outspoken representatives who stand with the people and say the truth no matter whose ox is gored.
Being the most formidable candidate outside the Kwankwasiyya fold, Kawu is poised to give a tough fight should the Kwankwasiya group dare to impose a candidate on the APC in Kano. There are some factors favouring Kawu in the battle for the governorship seat. He is well grounded at the grassroots and has gone ahead to form his political structure parallel to the Kwankwasiyya. In the Kwankwasiyya camp, it is a political treason to form a structure, however tiny, different from the leader’s structure. It is also a taboo to express political ambition without the consent of Kwankwasiyya overload, though such iron-fist manipulations are considered inimical to democracy. A top lieutenant of the the governor was once demoted for holding a series of political meetings without his boss’ consent.
Another factor that favours Kawu is his good relationship with the APC leaders like the party’s national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Muhammadu Buhari, and many other influential members of the party at the centre. Kawu is also the only APC governorship aspirant who is both the member of the party’s NEC and BOT, besides his being the chairman APC Caucus at the House of Representatives.
His being a thoroughbred opposition politician who severally turned down the lure of filthy lucre and bandwagon enticement to join the ruling party has endeared him to his colleagues at the House.
With these reasons, it is obvious that the governorship primary election must be conducted under a free and fair arrangement.
Delegates must not be manipulated, muzzled or muscled into doing somebody’s unpopular bidding. The delegates should not fear anything as the national office of the party is poised to ensure due process in the primaries. There is nothing to fear. As Hausa would say, we have since noticed that the donkey’s ear is neither horn nor bone, but flesh.
Yakubu is the managing partner at Mediator Consults Ltd, Kano.