Political contests are always fun for onlookers and observers.
Political gladiators come with sole aim to clinch the trophy. To some, any win is a win. Some have come to describe it as a treasure one must snatch, grab and runaway with it. Power must be organized and stolen…!
To the individuals in the ring, it is battle of life and death. A former President once said that it is a do and die contest.
Therefore, the conclusion of the whole matter is to be in power. In the evolution of power and devolution alot of shenanigan’s play out. There’s always a loser and winner. The Kano politics notwithstanding is not different.
Even though it is looking like the outgoing Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has overthrown his rival, Rabiu Kwankwaso, if critically analyse the reliance of centre power which Ganduje is trying to anchor on is not so simple as it seems. In fact, the reverse may be the case. APC at the top will do little to affect Kano politics. The Kano kind of politics is deeper than expected, I
impatient voters that are too sophisticated that can set the political landscape grabbing for political breathe will be too much to bear for a tense and acidic atmosphere like Kano. Therefore, it’s going to be a no go area for the ruling party to be funny with which Ganduje influence can do little about.
The best option is for alliance with the Kwankwaso bloc to join the ruling party. Though a Kwakwaso and Ganduje can hardly bed together. They are best be described as water and fire. It is an unlikely political option.
The emergence of Yusuf Abba of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as Governor-elect. Upstaging Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who was supported by Governor Ganduje, Abba has ultimately placed victory in the hands of Kwankwaso, his father-in-law. The emergence of the Kwankwaso bloc is all that is needed to tame Ganduje. Though Ganduje is a smart politician but Kwakwaso mastery in the game in all ramifications can never be over- emphasis.
Kwankwaso and Ganduje are old pals and rivals. In 2019, Kwankwaso almost collapsed the gubernatorial ambition of Ganduje with Abba of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) then. Ganduje’s victory over Abba was so fragile that it was a mere 8,982 votes that he took the trophy home.
Ever since, it is clear that Kwankwaso has had him in mind, and prepared his son-in-law, Abba, to finish Ganduje in the gubernatorial ring and he has.
Recently, Ganduje has been affirming his influence in Kano. Political analysts say that a recent address that Ganduje gave on Workers’ Day in which he stated that the emirates he created have come to stay were directed to Kwankwaso. They are reportedly Ganduje’s reaction to Kwankwaso’s comments that the incoming government may vet Ganduje’s disintegration of the Emirate of Kano that had Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi as Emir, a process that saw the creation of five emirates.
If Kwankwaso has his way and the five emirates established by Ganduje are changed in some way, Ganduje would have lost the political duel. After all, the splitting of the Kano emirate and the consequent dethronement of Sanusi was one of the highlights of his administration. So, it is still a strong contest between Kwankwaso and Ganduje, one that Kwankwaso is on the cusp of winning.
With Kwankwaso’s son-in-law set to be sworn in as Governor, Ganduje has become the underdog in Kano State politics.
Political observers are of the belief that Mohammed Abacha is another factor waiting too long to explode. If the Ganduje’s emirate is dismantle which many believe it is created for political convenience then the rise of PDP via Mohammed Abacha is waiting in the ring in no distance future. Except the re- alliance with PDP is re-established which is not unexpected. Nothing is impossible in politics. Mohammed Abacha need a repository alliance with either if his ambition must be taken seriously.
Though, it’s time for the outspoken Mohammed Sanusi glory to stand against the irrevocable stance of political motivated dethronement, Whatever it is, time will tell.
