When Former Commissioners, LG Chairmen Endorse DSP Barau
By Abba Anwar
Politics, at whatever rate, is a matter of choice and process selection. When political actors, become impregnated with uncertainties, double speak/standard, coordinated lies and enduring loose ends, result will be goofed end.
Agreed, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano has been in disarray, immediately after the Supreme Court judgement of 2023 gubernatorial election result. But nothing or very little is being done to genuinely and honestly ameliorate the situation. The major crisis is that of disunity, mistrust and master-servant relationship between and among leaders and followers.
Another major dilemma, as far as party cohesion is concerned, particularly among leaders, is who becomes flagbearer of gubernatorial ticket come 2027, at the expense of all other elective positions. This, creates an ocean of gap between gubernatorial aspirants and their supporters. Genuine or fake supporters.
From the Supreme Court judgement of 2023 gubernatorial election result, to date, almost all the aspirants, including the then flagbearers, Gawuna – Garo ticket, came to know, who their real and genuine people, within the party, are. From that time to date, individual choices are examined and partitioned according to their political needs and engagement.
Switching over across political preferences, overtly or covertly, are fast manifesting. Loyalty, both divided and unwavering, are taking more shapes and directions. This is also a fact, attached to party leaders, elders and all other stakeholders. From ward level to local government level up to state level.
Looking at the political space, within the context of APC in Kano, we have gubernatorial aspirants in the persons of the current Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau I Jibrin, CFR, the 2023 gubernatorial candidate, His Excellency Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna and his running mate, His Excellency Murtala Sule Garo, AA Zaura and others who are being lured in a deceitful manner, to join the race.
It appears to many recently that, the space is becoming clearer and gloomy to some. As 2027 is fast approaching, many things started evolving from within. While leaders and stakeholders are using the situation to cash out, few others see more opportunities for enduring political choice. Created by the current situation and time.
It is from the standpoint of this scenario, enduring political choice, that former Commissioners and former local governments Chairmen, decided to take a queue towards the direction of DSP Barau. Though immediately after the Commissioners visit to the DSP, and after DSP’s Facebook handle revealed that, the former Commissioners were at his office for a solidarity visit, one of the former Commissioners, Mutari Ishaq Yakasai, was on air blaming that disclosure as misleading and concocted lie.
Explaining further that, they were at DSP’s office to thank him for appointing some of their members, former Commissioners, to position in his office. While he (Barau) also facilitated the appointment of some of them to other positions.
Before Yakasai came on air dismissing Barau’s Facebook post, there were stories everywhere, that one of those who visited Barau in his office, amongst the former Commissioners, rejected DSP’s Facebook post, that they were there for a solidarity visit, as 2027 was fast approaching. But all the stories did not reveal the identity of the very person, who rejected DSP’s revelation. Then came Yakasai’s disclosure.
Just few hours after that, another former Commissioner who was also there during the visit, Kabiru Ado Lakwaya, went to the air and was carried in many stories, that, they were all there and paid a solidarity visit to the DSP. Explaining further that, they all agreed to support him for his 2027 gubernatorial ambition. When Lakwaya revealed that, there were arguments, from all ends. Some dismissing his claim as misleading and unbecoming of a man of his caliber.
After him, another former Commissioner, Musa Iliasu Kwankwaso, came on air supporting Lakwaya’s submission, in a very clever way. But a good listener, could deduce the main substance of his narrative. That, everyone has the right to support anybody of his choice. Arguing that, it was only a political choice, that all are entitled to.
What gave clearer perspective was a video clip that came from DSP Barau’s media unit, presenting the visit of the former Commissioners, live and direct. In that clip, some of the former Commissioners, whose remarks were shown, were all clear and categorical that, they were at DSP’s office to put their weight behind him. Adding that, part of their appreciation, for his intervention in the survival and development of the party, APC, was to tell him that, they would support him in all his political ambitions.
That clip put a stop to all the debates about what took the former Commissioners to the Deputy Senate President. Nothing was also heard again from either Yakasai or any other person.
Another similar visit was that of the former local governments Chairmen. Who also paid a visit to the DSP. Which the Senator in his own Facebook handle, disclosed that the former Chairmen were at his office to pay him a solidarity visit, towards 2027 elect.
In their own case also, after the visit, there were hues and cries that some of them alleged to have denied that they were there for a solidarity visit. But to the chagrin of all, unlike former Commissioners, none of the former local government Chairmen came to public and denounce what the DSP said on his Facebook handle. That they, were there to put their weight behind him.
The way I see it, is this, that, some people hide behind some teleguided wishes, acting behind the script of self – serving choice, leaving behind outer-wishes and engagement. While Kano APC is still intact, from the periphery , so many important stakeholders, understand why they should roam about and fix themselves into, what they think is better for them.
But the thing is, while unity is paramount and necessary for the party, sincerity of purpose and honest relationship, are prerequisite for victory come 2027. Among the aspirants we have there are very few of them, whom I can vouch that they are not in the race as do or die affair. Yes they have clean mind for it. And they understand its chemistry, opportunities and challenges. So working hand in hand with them, is not only deserving, but necessary.
Agreed, former Commissioners and former local governments Chairmen, are entitle to their political choice, they have a lot to offer in reconciling all parts within the larger body of the party. So also all other former this or former that, who held positions during the reign of the former Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. What we all need is sincerity of purpose, transparent political engagement and unscathed political choice.
While former Commissioners and former local governments Chairmen are probably shifting ground, I want DSP Barau to have it at the back of his mind that, he shouldn’t expect them all to support him at this stage. Some could be waiting for the natural process to take its cause. Not knowing that they are part of the natural process. But at whatever length, former this or former that, have every right to take their political direction, at their own pace, we should all know that, the overall aim is the victory of the party during polls.
Unity of the party is necessary at any cost. As integrity and honesty are necessary from the part of our leaders, followers should know that any tragedy in future, if care is not taken, will be harsher on them, as mere subjects. Take it or leave it. Unity is important to the party, as air is important to life.
Anwar writes from Kano