For the first time, yes first time, in this republic, I mean since the restoration of our democracy from 1999 to date, I came across a prominent politician in Kano, blaming our leading politicians in the state, particularly past governors, over non-challant attitudes towards teaming up for the sake of state development.
Not only that, his worries could be spotted from his face while making the lamentation. To tell his audience, how disturbed he was. This is a straightforward politician WHOSE YES IS ALWAYS YES. And whose type of seriousness and commitment are rarely seen in many political actors.
It was at an Award Dinner organized by the former Speaker of Kano State House of Assembly, Right Hon Abdulaziz Gafasa, of the 8th, 9th and 10th Assembly for the APC members of the House, on Sunday, when Murtala Sule Garo, APC Deputy Governorship Candidate, 2023 election, spoke out in vivid terms, his concern for the inability of political leaders in the state, in putting heads together for the development of the state.
To display his political maturity going beyond internal ploy and deliberate setbacks, unnecessarily caused within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Garo's foresight sees beyond that. His concern is the state at large. Not who are best fitted for elective political offices in the forthcoming 2027 election. That, to him is secondary. Patriotism at its best form.
So his piece of advice is for all past governors in the state. You can think of Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, in chronological order. May Allah forgive those amongst them who passed away.
He made an important reference point with Zamfara state, when he said, "It is interesting to see that in Zamfara state... past governors come together during events under one platform, for the sake of the development of their state."
"They put aside all political differences and affiliations, even those who differ within the same political party/parties, they put heads together and discuss issues that can bring development to their state," he commended.
"But it is disheartening in the case of Kano...," he lamented, that, "... our parents, our leaders and former governors cannot put heads together and bring to the table, for genuine discussion, what will bring development to the state."
Garo urged them, with an open mind that," They should please, if they truly love Kano, create a viable platform for discussing problems facing our dear state. They should keep aside all their personal interest and face reality."
At the second segment of his remarks, as he described it, he commended the former Speaker, Gafasa, for organizing the Award Dinner, urging all stakeholders to rally round such effort for the strong survival of the party, APC.
"We should all encourage them for deciding to come together and face Kano's growth and development. When their effort is strengthened and encouraged they will definitely make their initiative to be sustained. Eventually the state will immensely benefit from the process," he observed.
My readers and I, including Garo himself, we all know that, close to those leaders there exist EVIL-MIND individuals pretending to be real, while they are FAKE by whatever standard. Whose end would not be met if those leaders live peacefully with others. So they strive hard to see that internal cohesion and external collaboration are unattainable.
Such fake individuals do not want to see peace reign even from within, the APC for example. So also there exist same or similar elements within the ranks of other political parties. Probably such situations need the application of reverse psychology.
Anwar, former Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON and can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com
January 7th, 2025
