Kwankwaso vs Ganduje: A need for caution

It is time for all well-meaning Kanawa to call on both Gandujiyya and Kwankwasiyya politicians in Kano, as well as the Kano politicians in the presidential villa, to thread carefully and reasonably in their struggle for political relevance in the state. The Gandujiyya faction should remember that power is transient and political rivalry shouldn’t be […]

It is time for all well-meaning Kanawa to call on both Gandujiyya and Kwankwasiyya politicians in Kano, as well as the Kano politicians in the presidential villa, to thread carefully and reasonably in their struggle for political relevance in the state.
The Gandujiyya faction should remember that power is transient and political rivalry shouldn’t be taken as a do or die affair. And the force of instruments of coercion at the disposal of the people in power doesn’t always protect them from failing and falling.
The Kwankwasiyya faction should also accept the fact that power belongs to
Almighty Allah and, therefore, whoever is given such power must be given his due recognition and respect. Very few leaders would allow any move to encroach into their power or any attempt to erode its strength. The two factions must put the peace and development of Kano State above their personal interests.
Both Kwankwaso and Ganduje must not allow the selfish and greedy politicians among their supporters to make them throw away the mutual trust and respect they have for one another for close to two decades. Most of the politicians fanning the fire of the conflict from both sides are doing it not because of any genuine love for any of the two leaders, but because they are either trying to protect their new positions and appointments (for those on the Gandujiyya side), or are those trying to pull down the government simply because they feel left out in the new arrangement (those on the Kwankwasiyya side).
Politicians in Kano supposed to have by now learned, from experience, the lesson that those supporters that appear as diehard and fanatical while one is in power; those who behave as if they can take a bullet for one or jump into fire because of you, are often the most untrustworthy supporters and fake loyalists! I don’t need to mention names, but several shocking examples would easily come to mind of any person following the politics of Kano especially with regards to former governors Kwankwaso and Shekarau.
Governor Ganduje should be wary and careful.
And for the Presidency and the APC national leadership let them continue to watch idly while fire is burning in some parts of its house. If APC is a house, Kano must be the master’s bedroom. If a master remains indifferent while his bedroom is on fire, or even covertly add fuel to it, thinking he can be contented with the sitting room, then he should know that he will soon have the whole house in ashes!
Although it is natural that competition and struggle for control and relevance happen among different interests within a political party, but they should not be allowed to degenerate to the level of becoming injurious to the party and by extension becoming a threat to the peace, stability and development needed by the people.
It’s time to put a break to this unhealthy rivalry. Let’s play politics without bitterness. Let’s have a greater, more prosperous and peaceful Kano. I want believe it is the dream of all of us.

Isah Mansur Bello, Kofar Naisa, Kano.