Kano politics: Is it ideological or transactional?

The ongoing defection preparations of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf of NNPP to APC which seemingly mark the threshold of his departure of no return – from the camp of his political godfather, the warlord of the red-cap ideology movement of ‘Kwankwasiyya’, have raised many questions about the mode of politics being practiced nowadays: […]

The ongoing defection preparations of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf of NNPP to APC which seemingly mark the threshold of his departure of no return – from the camp of his political godfather, the warlord of the red-cap ideology movement of ‘Kwankwasiyya’, have raised many questions about the mode of politics being practiced nowadays: whether it’s ideological or transactional.

 The trending wave has made many stances become even more glaring, to the extent that many people are of the view that ‘politics rewards survival, not loyalty’. 

While some are still maintaining their stances that, in every generality, there must be exceptions – saying that, still, there are some few who hold their political ideology, devoid of trading conscience for breadcrumbs.

Even though politics is said to have no permanent friends or foes, it’s sometimes seen and believed by many as a game for the brazen and frontal perfidy. 

It’s super-ironic that in this era, where cross-carpeting and pitching tents to the ruling party have become trending movements of jumping on the bandwagon of the gravy train – some political duty-bearers superficially preach ideological adherence to the subjects, while, on the flip side, longing for political patronages and survival.

Whereas manipulation is seemingly part of the political dynamic nowadays, where the godfather leverages domineering influence over the godson for personal gain or ulterior motives. 

This means that political mentorship and mentees’ bankrolling doesn’t come for free – there must be a juicy payback.

How do we perceive the ongoing tug of war in a ruling party in Kano’s political domain? 

Does the crisis stem from and is driven by transactional interests or ideological beliefs?

Well, as proverbially said, “One hand doesn’t clap itself,” and also, the Hausas say, ‘Idan Bera Da Sata, Daddawa Itama Nada Wari’, which means ‘if a rat is accused of food caching, locust beans are stinky smelly’.

The rules of political eco-systems never change; when mentors are allergic to truth and ideology, choosing domineering influence over mentees, sooner or later, the mentees would go overboard in search for independence and self-survival. 

Whereas, in some instances, the political mentors are truthful, hardworking, and ideological, but the endorsed mentees are carried away by overbloated mentality, as if intoxicated by the governance marmalade.

It’s obviously known that, as we edge closer to the nation’s general elections, slated to hold in 2027, cross-carpeting and pitching tents from one party to another are becoming quite endemic, but the question is; How can a defector, who once shouted with fiery passion, ended up joining the party structure that he once claimed was part of the problem that hindered development? 

How can a man who stood on the podium, preaching about visions, restoration, and human development, and today defects to the same party blamed for incompetence and economic maladministration? 

Is this kind of ideological or transactional mode of politics that would be taught and emulated by the upcoming generation?

From my own personal standpoint, this kind of broad daylight switching parties is really tragic in modern politicking. 

Most politicians don’t pitch tents somewhere else ideologically. They cross carpet because the wind has changed direction. 

Some defect to other political parties not out of courage, but for convenience in search of greenery in the next destination.

I think it’s time to reflect and ruminate on the present moral bankruptcy – which means lacking ethical values and principles of a system where a mentor’s political exploitation and betrayal are repackaged as a modern strategy for survival. 

Undoubtedly, this trend is emblematic of what’s broken in our nation’s democracy.

 

Adamu Aminu resides in  Kano and can be reached via [email protected]