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Between Yar ‘Adua and Kano people By Abubakar Ali Dawaki
The news that Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua scored 33 % in the recently held presidential election in Kano state really shocked many political observers. It is just like scoring 98% in his home state, Katsina. This is because of the contending forces that Kano politics manifests in the last few years.
Before the presidential election of 2003, the PDP top hierarchy, specifically the out-going President Olusegun Obasanjo, Vice President Atiku Abubakar and even then Governor Kwankwaso of Kano found Kano state a bit hot for them. They were on many occasions harassed during public functions. That unfortunate but worth reflecting scenarios of Kano people were not unconnected with certain grudges against these personalities.
For example, President Obasanjo was then seen as anti-Kano and by extension anti-North based on some of his policies that many regarded as brazen attempt to decimate Kano as a commercial centre, which led to collapse of hundreds of industries and general set back in the socio-economic activities of the state.
Moreover, the manner President Obasanjo humiliated some Kano indigenes holding positions at the federal level such as Alhaji U.K Umar then of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Danyaro Yakasai then of the Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC) and Alhaji Usman Sule Riruwai then of the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) among others further created distrust and even hatred.
On his part, the out-going Vice President Atiku Abubakar got the wrath of Kano people because of his unguarded public utterances such as regular condemnation of past leaders from the North, North-West zone and even some comments that many Muslims regarded as blasphemy.
On the other hand, Kwankwaso was seen as arrogant, sadist and stubborn personality, which Kano people by their nature are capable of handling. His insistence that certain personalities must be dropped from their positions and that only the favorites he endorsed must be given appointment also made him attract many enemies. Moreover, his clash with many of the respected groups such as the traditional institution, the religious leaders, civil servants, the pensioners, business community and a section of the political class made him a subject of physical harassment during public outings despite the tight security escorting him.
What then is the relevance of this background information to president-elect Yar ‘Adua? Of course, there are many lessons therein to learn from these happenings. Most importantly, it is the need to avoid all possible acts that would make him unpopular among Kano people. Then, there is also the need to cement the cordial relationship he apparently enjoys with Kano people in many ways. Kano is a home to his late father’s political associates, Alhaji Maitama Sule, Alhaji Inuwa Wada and Alhaji Sule Gaya among others.
Moreover, Kano has in preponderance political associates of his late elder brother such as Alhaji Dauda Dangalan and Alhaji Musa Gwadabe etc. Interestingly, as a card-carrying member of the defunct People’s Redemption Party (PRP) during the Second Republic, the masses in Kano see one of them in Yar’Adua.
These to academics and developmental planners are opportunities that Yar ‘Adua needs to explore maximally to make him popular in Kano.
Other opportunities are addressing some of the problems facing Kano in the areas of decline in the industrial and agricultural activities among other numerous problems facing Kano state.
Apart from these opportunities, the president-elect needs to know the prevailing interest of Kano people at present, which increasingly shows need for peace as a prerequisite for any development to take place. This particular interest of Kano people today transcends any other interest of any individual or group. Thus, this interest should not be compromised.
The peace that prevails in the state from May 29, 2003 to date is a source of pride to most Kano people and their well-wishers from even other parts of the world.
In this regard therefore, Alhaji Umaru Musa ‘Yar’Adua should not draw violence instigators from Kano close to him and should not allow them to diminish the goodwill he enjoys from Kano people. Former Defence Minister, Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso is a person whose government is remembered foremost for promoting political thuggery and violence in the state. And from his utterances and actions during the recently concluded general elections it is glaring that he and his associates do not wish Kano and its people well.
The president-elect should therefore not allow Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso and his associates to have any opportunity to create violence in the state which doing so would no doubt negatively affect his relationship with people of Kano.
Most importantly, he should not allow those whose interest is to foment trouble in Kano simply because they have lost relevance in Kano politics to even come closer to him not to even talk of having a say in affairs regarding Kano. He in fact, needs to tactfully distance himself from Kwankwaso and co. This will make him draw Kano people closer to him.
Let me remind and urge him to adhere to his pledge that, “ I have no doubt that in my mind that if I become president of this country, it is God Who Has made it so—Secondly, I believe that God Who Has made me the president is the one whom I will give account for my actions. Let me assure you that nobody or individual, will hold me hostage to do what is wrong.”
Adhering to this pledge will no doubt make him steer away from all those who want to use party affiliation to cause disharmony and rancor in our great state. |