Now APC Breathes Well in Kano

By Abba Anwar It is now comfortably clear to all, that internal cohesion, brotherhood keeping decisions, patriotic support to party survival, commitment to party philosophy and manifesto and genuine political synergy, among the followers and followed of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano state, depends on how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants it to […]

By Abba Anwar

It is now comfortably clear to all, that internal cohesion, brotherhood keeping decisions, patriotic support to party survival, commitment to party philosophy and manifesto and genuine political synergy, among the followers and followed of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano state, depends on how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants it to be. Meaning whether the party is to make or mar is largely on the broad shoulders of Mr President.

In his recent condolence visit to the families of late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, in Kano, President’s body language, yes body language, alone, raises hope for APC people and other Kano citizens who are yearning for regime change, if you like in the state. Alas, Kano APC is breathing back for forthcoming challenges and opportunities.

The first time when Kano people spot both Gubernatorial candidate and his running mate, in 2023 elections, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna and Murtala Sule Garo near the corridor of power. Garo was amongst the entourage who boarded Presidential jet from Abuja alongside other esteemed Kano citizens, accompanying Tinubu to Kano.

While Gawuna was sighted kneeling down to have tete-e-tete with Mr President, as President was seated with other dignitaries. If I can read the story behind the picture very well, is as if Mr President was telling his Aides to bring forth (or onboard?) Gawuna when he returned to Abuja. Only God knows what really transpired. The first time also for Gawuna to experience such closeness after 2023. I stand to be corrected.

I will not hesitate to point this to Mr President that, that body language alone speaks volumes of explanation that was needed long before now. That Tinubu was not, in any way trying to forget or disappoint Kano supporters who gave him more votes than his birth place, Lagos state, during the 2023 election.

This aside. Let me take my reader through what Tinubu’s outing means to Kano APC and its survival. We thank Almighty Allah, that in Kano we have many gubernatorial materials come 2027. But then, only few of them have the capacity and know how for the position. Such position is not for those who excel in displaying political immaturity, deceit and complete unseriousness in the art of race and governance.

Believe it or not, among those eyeing gubernatorial seat come 2027, those that I see as competent, relevant and up to the task are very few, that I can count on my finger tips. Let me mention them, not by order of preference or chronologically, I will list them in accordance with the protocol provision. Yes, these are the people, in my estimation, capable for the job. While they have similar features and characteristics in some areas, each and everyone of them has his peculiar political relevance and advantage in some other aspects. Comparative advantage to say the least.

By protocol let me begin with His Excellency, the Deputy Senate President, Barau I Jibrin, whose domineering effect goes beyond Kano state. His effort in the establishment of North West Development Commission alone, is a testimony indicating how useful he can be in the forthcoming 2027 Presidential election from the region. Though the Commission is still in limbo. But he has done his own part long before. Adieu Distinguished Senator!

While, in my own analysis, he has the needed capacity, our President can still promote the Senator to higher position (s). Either at the executive capacity or at the legislative fixable space. My reader can think of any position above that of Deputy Senate President.

Without fear of mincing words, these three gentlemen, yes THREE, Barau, Gawuna and Garo, are the ones among all others, who either overtly or covertly indicate interest in joining the race come 2027, can shake the table in the state. While all of them need the support of each other, synergy and respectful understanding as key to party’s victory.

Both Gawuna and Garo have good potentialities for the position. Each and everyone of them can beat his chest and say, “This is my political direction.” While their joint ticket as Gawuna/Garo is still relevant, alive and has all manner of influence, their individual capacity, in their own rights, means a lot to the survival of APC in Kano. While it depends on how strategic 2027 political cards will be played, President Tinubu still has onerous responsibility to give people what they want in the race for Kano number one position.

So seeing them near power-that-be is not only strategic but desirable. Tinubu’s show of concern to them, during his recent visit to Kano, creates unforgettable memories in the minds of Kano APC supporters.

APC can continue to breath well in Kano, when President Tinubu understands the critical and dire need for ousting those with federal appointments, but with no political value. They hold on to positions of different important appointments, but they fail to understand why they were appointed in those positions. They don’t add any value in the political landscape, neither do they understand why they are appointed. Most of them do not even see wisdom in creating public awareness about Tinubu administration.

But among them, there are good and well positioned individuals. People like Hon Abdullahi Abbas of North East Development Commission, Hon Baffa Babban Dan Agundi, Director General National Productivity Centre, Musa Iliasu Kwankwaso, Executive Director, Finance, Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Sunusi Majidadi of the APC Progressive Institute, recently appointed Barrister Sunusi Musa SAN, Chairman Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, Hon Yahuza, recently appointed Chairman Standart Organization of Nigeria (SON) among very few others.

It is on record that, among all elected people from Kano who are in Abuja, Distinguished Barau has no match. When it comes to taking the responsibility of the party and party people. We have few of them, who are more or less like local champions in their own right. They have impact in their limited and confined local communities. Half a bread is better than none. Not to talk of those with political appointments.

My humble suggestion to Mr President is this, kindly do what we call in Hausa “waje road” treatment, meaning flush out, those with positions but do not see reason in managing APC supporters in the state. They only see wisdom in distributing twenty twenty thousands Naira to poor people or blankets in their local communities. While their positions can accommodate more beneficial things to their people.

Mr President kindly replace non-performing appointees with real time politicians, who can garner genuine support for the party as 2027 is very much around the corner.

I wish President Tinubu will continue putting the heads of our serious politicians together for the emancipation of the state, Kano, from the clutch of hardship and misuse of power. I’m glad to see that the likes of Barau, Gawuna, Garo, State Party Chairman, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, Dan Agundi, Hon Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Senator Kawu Sumaila, Hon Kabiru Alhassan Rurum and very few others come together under the banner of Tinubuism and remake the image of the party during Tinubu’s recent visit to the state.

I still believe that managing our social media people should be more than the way they are being managed now, with disdain and unpleasant treatment. This is one of the major reasons why most of them are not up and doing in doing the needful. They are equally important individuals, who also do what they know best in the image making and protection of the party.

In this era of APC rebirth in Kano, I suggest that leaders should keep their eyes wide open not to be victims of traps set by pretenders, ditching agents, uncommitted individuals, no matter how highly placed they are, so-called senior party members and sadists among us. Whose yesterday pushed many to political graves.

With Tinubu Kano APC is breathing well and timely!!!

Anwar writes from Kano