By Abba Anwar
Recent events concerning endorsement of the Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau I Jibrin, CFR, by the former Chairmen of local governments in Kano state, for the position of a governor, is not only attractive, the endorsement is a picture depicting what to come and what not to come.
Though some Chairmen came out immediately, to dissociate selves from the endorsement story, I still believe that, those who were with the DSP at the endorsement table, have every tight to make their own political choices. Yes political choice is a right ascribe to all citizens by laws, rules and regulations governing political behaviors of the citizenry.
Take it or leave it, such endorsements, including the one from the part of the former Commissioners, who served under the former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON, were not in place by nature or accident. Yes some of the Commissioners came out to dismiss, the endorsement, as did by some former Chairmen.
The thing is, Barau, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna and Murtala Sule Garo, among others, have every right to contest for any position, come 2027 political rainy season. Even those who may have interest and waiting for the time and situation, to become deciding factors (raba gardama), they too, have an equal right to contest alongside Barau, Gawuna and Garo.
The debate about will it be Barau or Gawuna or Garo or any other person, is dependent upon examined chances, opportunities and rightful political behavior of the major actors. While a SWOT analysis can provide clearer platform for good assessment, individual belief in the real project, can also strengthen the entire process.
By SWOT analysis I mean, both the leadership and followership within the realm of All Progressives Congress (APC) and other non-APC people, including mere voters, those who only appear to cast vote during elections, but do not belong to any political party, demand to gauge and weigh individual preference concerning Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT), then the real picture of who is likely to win or lose and election will emerge.
For example, one cannot still take away credits like attachment to grassroot, link with all segments of the party, deeply entrenched state visibility, frankness in all matters, display of clear direction to all people he relates with, real and genuine Tawakkul (giving everything to Allah), kalamu waheed (keeping his words), if you like and remembering his people under sun under rain, from Garo.
For Barau, you cannot take away from him qualities like, deep knowledge of national politics, more knowledgeable about worldview, carrying many things on his head, to the point that many see him as an always – busy-leader, who quickly forgets those around him, because he plans for their better tomorrow, very productive representative whose primary constituency is always in his chest and an a dear leader with an infrastructural-mind. You see structures everywhere courtesy him.
As for Gawuna, my reader and I, cannot take away from him qualities like, very charismatic, gorgeous, whose political gorgeousness takes him closer to people, particularly urban dwellers, receptive and accomodative appearance, from the first look at him, smily face, signifying open mind and simple.
My assessment of these gentlemen is how people see them. While I will not say a word on their shortcomings, because some could be subjective positions from people’s view, mine is just to give advice to the party, both leaders and followers and the endorsement process.
Lest I forget, left to me, Barau will be more productive when fixed in higher position there. Is just a matter of lobbying. If at all, we have good lobbyists from Kano, now. Any position above his current position. Or similar, with more impact. Mention any position that comes to your mind. This is my understanding of his self development. But one shouldn’t be shielded from his political choice. Yes agreed, he can be fix in all positions.
From the look of things, Gawuna – Garo ticket may not hold millions of litters of water. Hence, not a switchover of the duo’s ticket, but a provision of level playing ground, where each one of them has equal right and opportunity to contest for the gubernatorial seat. Whoever emerges at the intra – party election, can get the full support of the other. This, to me, is doable. Still Gawuna and Garo should have access and right to their freewill.
At the same time, those who appear to be cowards, politically, like Inuwa Waya, should be re-invited to rejoin the party and the race. At least for the life saving intervention of their political survival and strategy. Even if Waya is patiently waiting for any opportunity for returning match against those who alleged to have deceived him in the past, I think he should be patient enough to slug it out from within. He alone, for his political survival, is entitled to his democratic choice.
Kano’s gubernatorial race come 2027, may not witness anything close to an upcoming of a dark horse or dark horses in the race. Unless if a dark horse is abruptly coming from the other side of the table. I may be right or wrong. I also stand to be corrected.
For all aspirants, kindly remind yourselves the simple, bitter and indisputable truth that, resources alone are not always determining factor for political victory. What depicts this polical historicity are the cases of the period of the first civilian governor of old Kano state, Muhammad Abubakar Rimi. Followed by Malam Ibrahim Shekarau’s period.
Though during Rimi one could argue that, there was refined political ideology, as a driving force for democratic culture, democracy and political behavior for all the then political parties. But during Shakarau, political ideology was utterly absent compared to Rimi’s time. But there was a movement, called Guguwar Buhari or at best Buhariyya movement. In all the two scenarios nowhere, resources alone gave victory.
Politics goes with time, happenings, breaking situations, political development, existing structures, level of engagement and genuine realities at play. So 2027 will definitely not come with fresh polical ideology and Guguwar Buhari. But, and but, there could be a more fresher development that can take the centrestage.
Endorsement, endorsement and endorsement. I have no problem with any form of endorsement. But proponents of endorsement should be wise enough to play their cards in a way that they will not be swindled. I mean endorsement to any individual must be vigilant, strategic and cautious.
Come to think of these scenarios. Barau- Baffa Dan Agundi ticket, Garo-Zaura ticket, Gawuna-Garo ticket. A food for thought to all.
While Kano is bigger than imposition of candidates, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not a new entrant into political struggle and fight for sustainable democracy, if Kano APC will not and is not ready to work together, it is very simple for Tinubu to uproot them from the stage and replace them with any choice he deems fit.
My take. Where Garo can make a no-nonsense Governor, where discipline reigns, Gawuna can make a modern Governor, where charisma reigns and Barau can make a clever Governor whose attachment to all can be not strong and temporary, with sound knowledge of national politics.
Anwar writes from Kano
Thursday, 4th December, 2027