Before Kwankwaso buries Kano PDP

BY Jamilu Adamu, Esq.

jamiludm@yahoo.com, Sept 20, 2006

One major inadequacy of many politicians today is their inability to allow collective interest of their parties and even that of the people to override their individualistic and selfish interest. This is also one of the reasons why internal crises in many political parties are not only prominent but so conspicuous, leading to loss of fortunes for such parties.

In Kano state particularly, this inadequacy has over the years been responsible for strong parties losing elections. And, in Kano such internal crises within a party could within the shortest possible time change the entire political landscape.

The case of Social Democratic Party’s internal crisis in 1991 which led to its failure to clinch the governorship seat of Kano readily comes to mind as a classical example of how internal crises within a party could lead to its dismal performance or even failure. And the realignment that led to the failure was coordinated less than 24 hours before the election.

This is now history. It is however an important history in Kano political engineering, especially to all discerning minds. In fact, this brings us to another lingering problem among some Kano leading politicians. The problem is failure to go back to memory lane to remember historical happenings in the political landscape of Kano when it comes to taking certain political decisions.

With this background, I want link the happenings in Kano chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to some historical events vis-à-vis the party’s desire to win the 2007 governorship race.

In retrospection, the party lost the state and most local governments due to many factors among which was the internal crisis brought about by selfish interest and dictatorial tendencies. And once selfish interest and dictatorial tendencies are down played the party has the ample opportunity to win the governorship race come 2007. This is more so as some of the factors that led to the defeat of PDP in 2003 in the state are fast declining making the 2007 governorship race more dicey and unpredictable.

The chances of PDP in the 2007 elections in Kano even though quite bright are however based on how its gladiators handle the forthcoming primary elections. The entire race is a factor that could re-make or mar PDP in the state. This is more glaring as losing the control of the state for good eight years would no doubt make it increasingly irrelevant in Kano politics. This would make its grassroots members not only confused and politically irrelevant but preys in the hands of any party that will form government in the state. Thus, this will mean PDP’s burial.

One personality that appears to be the major beneficiary of PDP in Kano in the last seven and a half years is Dr.Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, the honorable defense minister. It is however regrettable and quite shocking that this major beneficiary is the very person determined to bury the PDP in the state. This is because from all indications his personal interest overrides the interest of the PDP and its entire members. To him, his crony must be the party’s flag bearer in the governorship election.

Party members at all levels are daily noticing the undemocratic posture of Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso. In fact, despite the efforts of some of the serious governorship aspirants who have indicated their interest and continue to labor for the party, the minister has his hidden agenda. To him, PDP is his personal property that he must jealously be in total possession of.

Arch. Aminu Abubakar Dabo, Senator Isa Yahaya Zarewa, Alhaji (Hon) Ibrahim Salisu Buhari, and Alhaji Yusuf Ado Kibiya and of recent Alhaji Ibrahim Al-amin little are so far some of the aspirants who have indicated their interest thus making the party vibrant. Yet, Dr Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has his preference, his Abuja-based crony, who is alleged to be in charge of most of his personal assets is the person that must be supported as party’s candidate.

In his calculation, the custodian of his personal assets, Suleiman Bichi, managing director of the Urban Development Bank must also be the custodian of his Kano PDP and the state as a whole. This could have been the reason why Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje downplayed his governorship aspiration on PDP platform. In fact, he has not even printed a single poster probably having realized his boss’ plans. This could also be the reason why he now romances with AC members in the state..

The million–dollar-questions are: will PDP state elders, leaders, and members allow Kwankwaso to succeed in imposing his crony as party’s governorship candidate just for his personal interest? Two, will PDP state elders, officials and members allow one individual to kill and bury the party they laboriously built over the years. These are quite rhetoric questions that require no definite answers.

In any case “General” Kwankwaso as is fondly described by Kano people because of his dictatorial tendencies has much to lose in PDP’s failure like other party stalwarts. And, history and posterity would not forgive him if he allows PDP’s failure in 2007 Kano governorship race through his efforts to impose his crony. That singular attempt if successful would no doubt mean PDP’s burial in Kano.

For the sake of history, Dr.Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso should be reminded that even though he can impose his crony on the PDP like he did in previous elections, he couldn’t do that to the irrepressible and ever politically conscious Kano people during the general elections. The Kano Civil War, ‘yakin basasar Kano’ as a result of Sokoto Caliphate’s endorsement of Emir Muhammadu Tukur on Kano people, which led to the war and eventual chasing out of the Emir from Kano and his unfortunate killing by the rival Yusufawa, is a historical reference point in Kano politics. It shows that since pre-colonial era, Kano people never succumbed to imposition of leaders. It is up to Kwankwaso to change or continue his plan of burying PDP in Kano State.