Waiya’s Blindness Over Buhari, Isma’l : Difference Between Professionalism and Activism

By Abba Anwar

Neither Abba Anwar, then Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kano State, nor Saluhu Tanko Yakasai, then Special Adviser, Media, to the Governor, petitioned the then noise maker, Ibrahim Waiya, who was busy making drum beats, to attract recognition from, the political opponents of the then Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, when Waiya organised a press conference, under the guise of an emotionless group, Renaissance Coalition, describing Anwar and Yakasai, as elements threatening the peace of the state. Over face-off between Ganduje and then Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Waiya was the spokesperson of the Coalition then, as reported by Daily Trust newspaper of Tuesday 11th June, 2019, by Richard Ngbokai, when he blamed Anwar and Yakasai of fueling crisis between governor and the then Emir, “… over alleged insensitivity in handling information concerning the lingering crisis between the governor and the emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.”

He made the wild allegation against us reacting to, as reported by Daily Trust and other national papers,”… a statement credited to the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar about the reconciliation moves initiated by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum in collaboration with Alhaji Aliko Dangote to broker peace between the two leaders.”

He concluded that, I, as Chief Press Secretary denied that there was a move in process for reconciliation, which the organization considered as insensitive and dangerous to the peace of the state.

Daily Trust continued that” According to Waiya, “As concerned citizens of Kano state we wonder how some elements of the society will be so determined to fuel the crisis between the emir and the governor of Kano which is capable of threatening the peace and security of the state.”

The noise maker continued that,” Our major concern is more on the people who are officially recognized as the spokespersons, the image makers of the Kano state government, who included Salihu Tanko Yakasai… and Abba Anwar who had recently exposed their incompetence and sense of immaturity and diligence in the discharge of their official duties in reaction to the widely circulated report on the reconciliation efforts by the government of the federation and some other individuals claiming that there was no reconciliation effort between governor and the emir of Kano.”

Hear the relevance seeker,” It is on this note we wish to state that Nigeria is facing many challenges bothering on security and peace, it is therefore un-call-for (sic) for some people to be making some unguarded utterances that are capable of jeopardizing the peace we enjoy in Kano.”

Pleading Governor Ganduje that,” We therefore request the governor to disregard their statement and relief them of their appointments immediately because they are not fit to be there.”

When the story was published by many newspapers at the time, I personally took all the papers to my Boss, Ganduje and showed him the story requesting him to sack us, myself and Saluhu Tanko Yakasai. Baba Ganduje read through all the story and laughed. He said “Press Secretary you are doing a good job!

Myself and Saluhu did not raise an eye brow for Waiya. Talk less of taking him to the Police, with all his frustration to the extent of showcasing us as becoming threat to the peace of the state. Because we knew he didn’t deserve any attention from us.

So I wonder when I heard that the same Waiya, who is now Commissioner for Information is at cross road with some two young journalists Buhari Abba and Isma’l Auwal for publishing and expressing an opinion, captioned “Dear Governor, Yusuf Beware of Kano Information Commissioner, Ibrahim Waiya,” published in Kano Times.

It is just my thinking being vindicated. When Waiya was appointed Commissioner for Information, I said to myself, this is one the messier appointments, of this administration. I understood that the Governor was not provided with the platform to differentiate between professionalism (journalism) and activism.

Waiya is nowhere close to journalism profession. He is only an “activist”. I believe very firmly that, with all the shortcomings of Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, he can make “a good” Commissioner than Waiya. No two ways about this. Talk less of Mustapha Muhammad, the recently appointed Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, whose pedigree is neater than all media related people of this administration. I mean all of them. That is why I still wonder, why is he Deputy Spokesperson. Very summersaulting.

Though I don’t share many parts of the opinion expressed by Isma’l, in his Letter to the Governor on Waiya, but I still don’t support any form of Intimidation meted on him, as a professional colleague. Because gagging the media is completely anti – people, anti-democracy and injustice.

So media anywhere in the world are partners in progress. I concur with Yakubu Musa, when he called on Waiya to be busy making friends than enemies. You just can’t fight the media and think you can succeed alone. Even if you are not a media man.

Throughout the Eight years administration of Ganduje, his Commissioner of Information, Malam Muhammad Garba never, for once, petitioned any journalist, to the Police. He believed in the freedom of opinion and expression. That didn’t mean all practitioners were ethical. But as a professional, he knew how to handle them professionally, without any rancor.

I suggest that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf should look into Isma’l’s Letter and address issues raised. He is calling on the Governor to be very careful in handling issues related to Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

The letter says, “Let me be clear: if your intent is to have an overseer, someone to bridge the gap between your administration and these vocal groups, I understand the instinct. Governance thrives on harmony, and oversight can sharpen focus. But, sir, Ibrahim Waiya is not the man for this task. There are others in your circle—steady hands with proven mettle—who could mend this divide without lighting new fires.”

And Isma’l was very clear when he said,” Now, let me speak plainly about Waiya. I have nothing personal against him—none at all. This isn’t a vendetta; it’s a plea to save him from himself. He’s wading into a storm he may not weather, a clash that could tarnish his name and, by extension, yours. Picture this: a man stepping into quicksand, too proud to see the danger, while those around him shout warnings he won’t hear. That’s Waiya right now, Your Excellency. I’m throwing him a lifeline, not a stone.”

I salute my professional friends for standing behind the truth, Isma’l and Buhari in this respect.

Anwar was Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON and can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com

March 25th, 2025