Why Takai may cause ANPP’s fall in Kano
It is therefore not surprising that a lot of dust has been raised in the wake of anointing the immediate past Kano State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Alhaji Salihu Sagir Takai as the gubernatorial candidate of the ANPP in the state. Why has dust been raised and the controversy continue to rage in the […]
It is therefore not surprising that a lot of dust has been raised in the wake of anointing the immediate past Kano State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Alhaji Salihu Sagir Takai as the gubernatorial candidate of the ANPP in the state. Why has dust been raised and the controversy continue to rage in the political sphere of the state? The simple answer to this is that the party’s future in the upcoming polls is bright.
The strength of the ruling All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) cannot be overemphasized considering the massive support it has at the grassroots. The calibre of the politicians the party has is also another factor, just as the evergreen respect the people have for the governor.
Of course Governor Ibrahim Shekarau – like many other governors – will be concerned about who will consolidate his achievements in the state, especially in the area of water supply, and who will maintain his infrastructural developments in Kano.
But Governor Shekarau’s controversial choice is causing division in the once robust and united Kano ANPP. The serene house of ANPP is fast turning to a house of commotion, just as some aggrieved aspirants either showed indication of leaving the party or express their resolve to sabotage the party. The party’s chance is also diminished as imminent intra-party subterfuge threatens to obliterate its possible victory.
Under the able leadership of Sani Hashim Hotoro, the party consolidated its grassroots support base, a feat that could take other parties decades to build. As a concerned citizen of Kano, Governor Shekarau should not risk losing this base. Losing the base is no doubt akin to destroying his political empire.
Considering the combination of Shekarau’s sterling qualities and achievements, the only thing that will dim the ANPP’s chances in the 2011 elections will be imposition of candidates that do not have the support of the people. I do not hold brief for other candidates but the fact remains that Takai is not the most qualified contender.
Shekarau may rightly be correct in anointing Takai, but he is not the only person with supposed qualities, nor is he the only person who performed in his official responsibility creditably.
History has shown how godsons betrayed their godfathers in politics. One does not need to go far to draw copious analogies as a classic example of godson-godfather feud lies right on our fingertip. The case of Governor Shekarau himself and those who made him governor in 2003 with the intention of having a puppet governor is a case in point.
In most states of the federation, such a scenario that should be a lesson to incumbent governors had played out, and will continue to play out. What is of utmost importance is for Shekarau to give a free hand in the contest in the interest of the people and himself.
One of the greatest ills of imposing candidates is losing election at the end of the day. Had former governor of Bauchi State Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu given a free hand and did not impose Alhaji Nadada, PDP would have won Bauchi governorship seat in 2007, and Mua’zu’s legacies might have been consolidated by the successor.
Every right thinking person who wants Kano State to develop and move forward would not like to see all the foregoing achievements of Governor Shekarau rubbished and his plans for greater Kano sent to the great beyond.
Therefore Shekarau should know that in politics there is no perpetual godson, because once the godson reaches the level of his godfather, he will cease to succumb to the godfather’s whims and caprices.
Should Governor Shekarau respond positively to my pertinent appeal, we will remember him as a leader who elevates popular choice against his personal choice.
Mastala writes from Nassarawa GRA, Kano