The dicey politics of Kano in 2011
The ANPP has every reason to be worried as its followers are defecting to other parties, especially the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). A prominent PDP gubernatorial aspirant, Alhaji Mohammed Abacha, was recently in Bebeji Local Government of Kano State to receive thousands of former ANPP supporters into the PDP. It was one of the most […]
The ANPP has every reason to be worried as its followers are defecting to other parties, especially the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). A prominent PDP gubernatorial aspirant, Alhaji Mohammed Abacha, was recently in Bebeji Local Government of Kano State to receive thousands of former ANPP supporters into the PDP. It was one of the most open and spontaneous demonstration of affection for Mohammed Abacha by the people of Bebeji. They sent him a delegation to come to Bebeji and he received them into the PDP. On his way to Bebeji, Mohammed Abacha was mobbed by an incredibly large crowd of supporters who were shouting his support.
In fact, the crowd was so huge that Mohammed’s convoy was delayed for hours along his way to Bebeji because of the heavy turn-out of supporters that came out to welcome him. The former ANPP supporters discarded their membership cards automatically and declared for the PDP. Mohammed Abacha was so overwhelmed by such open support that he was occasionally lost for words to express his gratitude to the people for their love.
According to Mohammed Abacha, the PDP is the only mainstream national party in Nigeria and that it has enough political space to accommodate all Nigerians who believe in the party as the only reliable platform for change. He said he is in politics to contribute his quota to the development of Kano State, which faces the increasing challenges of a growing population and rising social expectations under a democratic system. He noted that however rich or well-meaning a politician may be, he has to seek elective office in order to use the system of government to transform the lives of the people.
In the United States, even billionaires such as Ross Perot were forced to seek elective offices because you cannot bring much change if you are not in government. In fact, in Western nations, politicians leave higher paying professional jobs to join politics as a means of transforming the society. Clearly, younger politicians like Mohammed Abacha are inspired by the motive to serve their people.
One of the remarkable things about Mohammed Abacha is that he has his programmes for change well laid out even before he goes into the election. For example, he told the people of Tiga town in Kano State during his visit to receive ANPP defectors that he has drawn a blue print on how to improve electricity supply in such a huge and commercially active state like Kano. According to him, he has invited on a team of American consultants to do a feasibility study on how best to improve electric power generation to the state.
It is noteworthy that even before coming into government, Mohammed has demonstrated sincere intentions to transform Kano State. Politics is for men of ideas and not for those who go into it for private gain. The fact that Mohammed took the initiative to invite the Americans to advise him on how to achieve even and regular power supply in Kano State is a remarkable indication that this young politician knows what he is doing.
To the thousands of youths in Kano State, Mohammed Abacha is their symbol of the much-needed change. They see him as the beacon of hope at a time of growing apathy and anomie among the people. Unfulfilled promises lead to frustration and alienation of the voters. And the beauty of democracy is that it gives the people the power to bring about change peacefully.
Perhaps, impressed by Mohammed Abacha commitment to the welfare of the people, the youths of Kano State have mobilized themselves to work for the election of Mohammed Abacha in 2011. Indeed, Mohammed himself has been working to the knuckle bone for the success of the PDP. He doesn’t hesitate to assist the party at the slightest notice in order to make it stronger and formidably ready for the challenges of the 2011 elections in Kano State.
Mohammed Abacha is a loyal party man that respects elders and works assiduously for PDP unity. He has no attachment to any faction and, in fact, he wants the PDP to overcome such division quickly so that it can confidently face the challenges of election in 2011. The common interest of the party is his dominant concern and this one of the reasons PDP supporters love him so tremendously.
According to analysts, Mohammed Abacha enjoys a tremendous popular support that makes him a force to reckon with politically. Recently, former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso had declared that he is not interested in contesting the 2011 gubernatorial election and that whoever the party supporters endorse as a candidate, he would respect their choice. Such reassuring words came as good news to many PDP supporters. Dr. Kwankwaso has confirmed that he is a democrat that respects the people’s freedom of choice.
Since Kwankwaso appears not interested in the race, the PDP should avoid the past practices characterized by the imposition of candidates, which led to voter revolt and loss of support for the PDP; the leadership of the party should remain neutral. Indeed, Mohammed Abacha should take advantage of Kwankwaso’s assurance to seek the ticket. He has the people behind him and in any free and fair primaries, Mohammed Abacha would spring a surprise.
Kofar Mata writes from 29, General Hassan Katsina Road, Funtua