Kanti Bello: Exit of Katsina’s vibrant politician

Senator Kanti Bello, the firebrand Katsina politician bowed out last week at the age of 72. Our correspondent looks at his eventful life which was full of decisive moments, bold decisions, and outspokenness, and of course controversies. Unarguably, the Katsina senator will in no small measure be missed by many, especially in the political sphere. […]

Senator Kanti Bello, the firebrand Katsina politician bowed out last week at the age of 72. Our correspondent looks at his eventful life which was full of decisive moments, bold decisions, and outspokenness, and of course controversies.

Unarguably, the Katsina senator will in no small measure be missed by many, especially in the political sphere.

From the crowds at his funeral in Abuja and during the condolences in Katsina, his death brought together politicians from various political parties and interests, friends, foes, those who agreed with his political philosophy, as well as those who saw him as a leftist.

For sure, all of them had had to contend with his perceived doggedness in politics and rebellious tendencies on issues that failed to satisfy his expectations even when his contemporaries were playing the ostrich. 

As early as 6am on Tuesday, last week, when the news of his death filtered in, there was great anxiety and shock.  Kanti, fondly called Rodi (Iron rod), was a household name in Katsina. He got the name while working with the Katsina Steel Rolling Company (KSRC).

Rodi was a dogged fighter who never retreated in his move to actualise a set target.

His last major political statement was in July when he granted interview to a national daily while President Muhammadu Buhari was on medical vacation in London.

Senator Kanti Bello, like many other people, had claimed that he was the one who introduced Major-General Muhammadu Buhari to politics.

During the interview, his opinion was sought on what he thought of Buhari’s presidency after two years in office.

The late former Senate Chief Whip explained that his regret was the fact that the past two years of Buhari’s government had been a “waste.”

“I really regret it now because I thought it was going to be better than what we are having now. That’s why I couldn’t speak for two years, because you cannot bring somebody and say he is the best, work hard for him and after one year you say he isn’t good. Is it fair?

“But after two years and looking at it, I can talk. I hope he gets well, comes back and finishes his two years. Whichever way, I don’t see much out of it anyway, because the first two years have been wasted;  nothing to show for it. My regret is what I would tell the ordinary people I convinced to vote for Buhari,” he said.

On Buhari seeking re-election in 2019, Bello said, “Let him come back and be well. We pray for him to come back in good health. He has every right to seek for our mandate, but some of us also have a right to look for who will give Nigerians the best.”

Before then, Senator Kanti Bello had fought it all out in the run-up to the 2015 gubernatorial primary in Katsina State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), when he gave the incumbent Governor, Aminu Masari, a run for his money. However, he lost the primary.

Soon after he lost the primary, Senator Kanti opened another chapter of trouble for both the APC and Masari. They were indeed thrown into chaos and confusion as the senator reopened the once rested certificate allegation scandal against Masari, all in a move to displace him as the party’s candidate for the 2015 general elections.

The APC came down hard on him with threats of suspension or expulsion. This, however, did not slow him down as he went further to organise a press conference claiming that a post-graduate certificate in Water Quality Control and Management allegedly presented to the party and INEC by Masari was not authentic.

He presented a copy of the alleged forged certificate to journalists, which he said was purportedly obtained from Middlesex Polytechnic. He also claimed that he had confirmed from the registrar of the polytechnic that Middlesex Polytechnic did not offer post-graduate diploma in Water Quality Control and Management.

He stressed that it was dubious for somebody to obtain a post-graduate diploma certificate in 81 days.

But in a swift reaction, Masari dismissed the allegation, pointing out that the country’s constitution was clear on what was required to contest an elective office. 

Masari said Section 318 of the Nigerian Constitution provided that for anybody to aspire for elective office, he must acquire education up to secondary school certificate.

Kanti’s action did not go down well with the APC, whose chieftains believed the way things were going could jeopardise the chances of the party at the 2015 general elections. 

Therefore, they intensified threats on Kanti but he remained defiant. He dared the party leadership, saying he could not be intimidated. He denied that there was any threat on him.

“I am not aware of any threat; nobody approached me with complaints that I erred. So, if they want to expel me, why not? They have a right. But what I can say is that I can’t act on speculation,” he said.

Many die-hard APC supporters were of the view that Senator Bello’s actions were sponsored by the then ruling PDP with a view to disorganising the chances of the newly formed APC in the 2015 polls. 

He was also accused of being a mole planted by some persons for selfish interests, considering his past record of defection from the opposition to the ruling PDP.

Many then seemed to have forgotten Kanti’s boldness and readiness to step on toes even in the days of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC).

Party members were most of the time not comfortable with his bold stance. He was at a time reported to have hijacked the machinery of the ANPP state working committee and expelled the then retired Major-General Muhammadu Buhari and Senator Abu Ibrahim.

Also, he was once suspended from the defunct CPC because his actions were thought to be polarising the party’s interim leadership under Faruk Adamu Aliyu.

However, soon after the inauguration of Masari’s government and with the realignment that saw the emergence of his son, Mustapha Bello, as a commissioner in the state, a step to mends fences was instituted. The son is still serving as the Commissioner for Resource Development.

That singular truce made Senator Kanti Bello to keep a low profile in Katsina State but he was visible at the national level.

In a condolence message, Governor Masari said Senator Kanti’s death at this challenging time had surely robed the nation of one of its vibrant political voices.

“As a two time Senator of the Federal Republic, Engineer Kanti had made Katsina, the North and Nigeria in general, proud by his robust and eloquent contributions on many germane issues in debates on the floor of the Senate.

“A highly patriotic Nigerian, he was very passionate about Katsina State and Nigeria to such a degree that he was always ready to offer his services in whatever capacity if doing so would advance the interest of the nation,” he said.

Kanti was a journalists’ delight, ever-ready to voice his opinion no matter whose ox was gored. At times he used to screen those who were to attend his conferences. A recent engagement in Katsina saw him turning away a journalist whom he believed could not air what he was to say.

So controversial was the late Katsina senator that he once likened attitudes of delegates for primary election to members of Boko Haram. He believed the way and manner they operated were similar to that of the militants or even worse. This was coming after they jilted him during the 2015 gubernatorial primary.

The ruling APC, in its tribute, said Senator Kanti Bello lived a long and impactful life.

In a condolence message signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, the APC voiced grief over the passing of a respected party leader, distinguished Nigerian and elder statesman.

The party, which described his death as “sad and painful”, offered its condolences to the family, the people and Government of Katsina State, the senate and the entire nation over the loss.

 “As many who were closely associated with the late Senator will attest, he will be remembered for his political principles and as a vocal defender of progressive causes. The APC recalls fondly the nationalistic role played by the late senator who supported the National Assembly’s decision to invoke the doctrine of necessity on Tuesday, February 9, 2010, to empower the then Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan, to serve as acting president.

“During his two terms in the senate the late federal legislator and grassroots politician supported legislation that ensured accountability at all levels of government, people-centred policies and initiatives to develop the country.

“Indeed the party and nation has lost a progressive voice who always spoke the truth to those in power irrespective of party, religious or ethnic considerations,” part of the statement read.