Shekarau and the search for relevance by all means

Written by admin // August 30, 2012 // 1 Comment

By: BADAMASI S. BURJI

When the result of the 2003 governorship elections was announced, Rabiu Kwankwaso now governor of Kano state was defeated by a slight margin to the relatively known Malam Ibrahim Shekarau of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) now former governor. The former was unruffled but he displayed high spirit of sportsmanship by not only accepting the outcome of the result but equally going ahead to lead the entire members of his cabinet to Shekarau’s personal house to pay him homage which no any governor in Nigeria has ever done.

Kwankwaso left Kano silently and refused to comment in media over Shekarau’s mal administration.

In spite of the hand of friendship and fellowship extended to Shekarau by Kwankwaso, the former governor later proved that he was not willing to play according to the rules of engagement as he instead moved to dig pit holes for his predecessor. Shekarau started hunting Kwankwaso in order to cage him and destroy all his legacies and political ambition by setting up a committee to investigate and indict Kwankwaso for abuse of office and misappropriation of funds. In the white paper, the committee was believed to have been guided to recommend the banning of Kwankwaso from holding elective public office for ten years.

One thing led to the other just as the political tide swung to different directions which resulted in making things rough and tough for Kwankwaso even when he already left Kano to relocate his base to Kaduna. Though some would want to believe that the governor is arrogant, rigid and uncompromising, one thing no one can take away from him, is his bent for hard work. Until former President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him as minister of Defense, an opportunity that made him to reposition himself politically and bounce back into political relevance in Kano in particular and the nation at large, Kwankwaso remained one of the best team players, consummate politician and generous to a fault in Kano politics. He used his appointment as a Minister of Defense to regroup his political loyalists, including Dr.Akilu Indabawa, Dr Hafiz and his present deputy, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who is known to be one of his ardent loyalists.

Shekarau and his supporters almost every day insulted and condemned Kwankwanso administration as if he has done nothing wrong as he at the same time offered some of his supporters appointments which forced few members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of the state assembly to plead and beg Shekarau to slow down. Shekarau and his team have done everything to provoke Kwankwaso and his supporters more especially during the second tenure which they proudly believed that nobody apart from Shekarau will break that record forgetting that God is not man. He gives victory or defeat to whoever he wishes. At the beginning of Shekarau’s administration who claimed being a man of God, he banned adverts to congratulate him with public fund because he believed doing that was part of misappropriation of fund. He equally promised to be on the same salary grade with university graduates. But it is on record that Shekarau’s administration ranked highest in the North in public spending in adverts and media propaganda.

I think such provocation culture both in electronics and mass media in 2007, may have encouraged Kwankwaso to resign from the federal cabinet to take another shot at the governorship contest, after winning the primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) having defeated Alhaji Ibrahim Little and Alhaji Aminu Dabo, who is not only Kwankwaso’s close associate but a close ally. Dabo was appointed Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) in 2002, upon recommendation of Kwankwaso. Till date, the duo still have a very close affinity.

In the build-up to the 2011 governorship race, the Shekarau-led government was believed to have mounted all political hurdles and weapons of destruction in the way of Kwankwaso ostensibly to prevent him from staging a comeback to Government House, Kano, but the move was rebuffed by the people, most of whom, believed that the eight years of the Shekarau ANPP government did not live up to their expectations. The development attracted the attention and participation of the Kano based artistes association on the aegis of Kannywood that drummed support for Kwankwaso through songs. One of such songs which captured most parts of Kano state was titled, “Kwankwaso dawo-dawo” translated to mean “Kwankwaso come back, come back.” Apart from electrifying and convincing lectures during his tour to all the 44 local governments, he used the medium to showcase all his past record which endeared him to the people.

Even at that some people had believed that Kwankwaso will not be sworn in owing to Shekarau’s administration White paper which barred him from holding public office for ten years. But Kwankwaso crossed the trap and was sworn in. The opposition party led by Malam Sagir Takai kicked and headed to the Election Petitions Tribunal, and pursued the case to the Supreme Court but Kwankwaso in all the cases swam out of the troubled waters he was pronounced as the duly elected governor.

So sweet was the victory that people of the state came out in their thousands to appreciate the triumph. This has confirmed the earlier victory he got at the governorship tribunal in Kano and the Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division.

I never read or heard in any media whether the ANPP delegation had come forward to congratulate him as he did in 2007, Kwankwaso said, “Far from that but this has also proved to us that what they are claiming to be, is false. They are far from being as religious as they claim. We now know they are lying, they are not happy when I lost to them in 2003 and I went to congratulate them but at least now the difference is clear. But I am happy Kano people have been celebrating our victory.

When I came I met an empty treasury and debt of over N77billion, but within eight months I saved over N60billion”.

So why shouldn’t Shekarau pray for and support Kwankwaso’s giant strides in the state which are visible to everybody including himself. He should be grateful to God for completing his eight year term and leave Kwankwaso alone.

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