He rolled out his findings before a team of pressmen (this writer inclusive) whereby he contrasted the 108 billion Naira supposedly collected by Shekarau as Federal Grant in two years and Kwankwaso’s 72 billion Naira collected during his four- year term. “Where is the work?” he asked. He emphasized that this regime has done nothing to write home about. In the follow up questions, this writer asked Kwankwaso (now defence Minister) whether at all he could point out few positive achievements by Shekarau government. But he replied in the negative and only said if any thing, the government has succeeded in constructing “round-abouts”. He told the journalists that he could remember during his time, the round-abouts were done as gratification “free-of-charge” by some banks.

In short, the perception displayed by Kwankwaso about Shekarau government is just a common example of how some people mischievously or genuinely misunderstand the methodological approach of the government in question. This is not surprising because over the years people were so used to governments that only believe in physical projects – through which they (the governments) siphon and divert huge amounts of money by hiding under the shadow of their white elephant structures, to the ignorance of the majority, unsuspecting masses.

The viewpoint of those in support of physical projects is such that even if a road worth several millions of Naira constructed just last week, cracks or dilapidates today, it is just worth it for everybody to see the “physical” project. Their own concern is not quality, balance or probity, but rather quantity and physical things for mere eye-service, illusion, deception or “riya” (to be seen). But it is totally different for instance, when some one spent say, 10 million Naira to construct 5 shoddy, quick-sand roads and another person uses the same amount to construct only 3 durable and qualitative roads that could last for many years.

No wonder then some governments so capitalise on counting the number of their questionable projects instead of talking about how many people have we solved their personal problems and whether the people’s priority at a particular point in time is road or employment or to be paid their due rights and the monetary liabilities they were owed by the government. It is on record that the very first assignment engaged by Shekarau government was settling all verified liabilities of contracts and the denied entitlements of workers and pensioners, accumulated during the immediate past regime.

Unknown to many people, that particular aspect has consumed very large sum of money, but could not be tangibly seen physically. All the same it is part of the government’s policy of human development; i.e giving due rights of people, for them to pursue their lives and be able to carry out their basic family responsibilities. It is true that former governor Kwankwaso had his own policy of accelerating physical projects - he constructed several link roads within the precinct of Kano city and the likes, but it would not be forgotten also that pensioners and workers during Kwankwaso regime suffered from non-payment of allowances to the extent that on several occasions they protested and prayed in congregation for divine intervention over their plight.

No doubt, people of nowadays are bound to misunderstand this policy of “Human Development” in governance. For one, it’s main focus is not on the materialistic aspect which people of today appreciate. The poor masses of today are also being blindfolded by leaders with this issue of boosting material well being to the detriment of instilling morality, discipline and dignity of labour in the people. All these aspects of which are not tangibly seen, unlike the physical projects we could all see, it is hard to account for them or convince simple minds about the value of these virtues in the society and how much money has been sunk to achieve them.

People are naturally convinced by what they could see, touch and count in form of projects and what is on ground now and on the spot. That is why huge investments by governments in educational sector are not easily appreciated by the common man, because educational achievements are not usually physical in nature.

Only people conversant with religious books such as DIYA’UL HUKKAM of Ibn Fodiyo and ZADUL MI’AD and some collections of Al-Ghazali would be able to understand very well the aspect of developing human qualities in governance, so that the material and physical aspects come second on the list of priorities. In this instance, the Shari’a Commission, Zakkah and Hubisi Commission the Hisba Board and the Societal Reorientation Programme of Shekarau government are the major arms that are shouldered with the task of restoring the admirable human values, while other arms are there to support the people with means of gainful employment, job training and financial or tools support for the people to earn a living and contribute to the general progress of the society.

Although not the top most priority here, but viable, durable and qualitative physical projects like roads and water are also needed to further boost the ‘Human Development’ aspect. For it is well known that people’s lives would not fare well without such infrastructures. It is also on record that Shekarau government has constructed and is still constructing physical projects such as roads in various parts of Kano city and other similar works. However, lack of or rather shortage of repetitive propagation on these projects in radio and television, as people were used to in the past, almost made these projects go unnoticed; to the extent that they could be deceived that the projects do not exist at all.

On the final note however, it should be observed that both Governor Shekarau and former governor Kwankwaso have their individual differences in terms of priorities in their administrations. Each of them is equally entitled to his own approach. However, it is only politics being played by symphasizers of the two camps that puzzles the peoples’ mind as to which one is the best among the two. Also, as some departments in Shekarau government are dedicated and live above board in executing their functions, much is still desired to put checks and balances in the activities of other departments accused of non-performance and misappropriating resources.

It is also agreed that, just like Kwankwaso experienced during his tenure, Shekarau government is also faced with in-house crises whereby some party members and facilitators to the success of the government feel offended and isolated. This is one of the areas one can draw similarities between the two regimes in terms of experience. An in-house problem is not totally uncommon with political parties and governments, but could be settled often too late as did the Kwankwaso regime. Now it remains a lesson for the Shekarau government to hasten to quickly settle its crises before it is too late.