Before Kwankwasiyya Goes on the Offensive
The crisis between Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State and his predecessor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is potentially a danger to Kano politics, writes Ibrahim Shuaibu
The crisis in Kano APC started immediately after the election of Ganduje. Some of the major key players of the Kwankwaso administration, believed to have worked assiduously for Ganduje’s emergence were soon alienated from the scheme of things, whilst other members of the legacy parties of the defunct CPC and ANPP were alleged to have been invited and involved in the affairs of the government
Indeed, where two elephants fight, the grass suffers the consequences. This age-long proverb aptly applies to the political atmosphere in Kano State as two friends of many years have become sudden political arch rivals over the control of the soul of their party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state. Kwankwaso, being one of the strongest politicians in the state and has command of his major allies within the rank and file of the APC is determined to sustain the momentum, moreso that he is seen by majority of his supporters as their messiah in the state. And as the grand commander of the Kwankwasiyya movement in the state, which identity is the redcap, he is heavily entrenched in Kano politics.
But again, it is expected that Ganduje, as the new man behind the wheels would also try to assert himself, create his own niche and cultivate power for as long as he remains governor. This includes but not limited to wooing willing Kwankwaso’s men through economic patronage and of course, political appointments. He would also not mind to castrate others where the case demands. The basis for the competition and rivalry is thus understandable and without prejudice to either of the parties.
The crisis in Kano APC started immediately after the election of Ganduje. Some of the major key players of the Kwankwaso administration, believed to have worked assiduously for Ganduje’s emergence were soon alienated from the scheme of things, whilst other members of the legacy parties of the defunct CPC and ANPP were alleged to have been invited and involved in the affairs of the government as against those of the Kwankwasiyya movement of which Ganduje was the deputy grand commander.
Although in a positive twist of event, Ganduje recently told reporters about his willingness to make himself available for reconciliation with Kwankwaso, nothing has since changed.
“I will make myself available to reconcile with Kwankwaso. I cannot have another political associate like Kwankwaso and he too cannot have a political associate like me,” he said, adding that he had come a long way with the former governor and could not afford to throw all that away on the altar of politics.
“I cannot have a political associate for the rest of my life like Kwankwaso and he too cannot have a political associate like me (Ganduje) throughout the rest of his life,” he said.
Ganduje, who served Kwankwaso as Deputy Governor for eight years and was even with him as a minister, during which period he was reputed as having displayed uncommon loyalty, added: “That is all I can say over the issue because elaboration will give room for more noise.”
The relationship between the two Kano APC leaders went awry after series of misunderstandings between the governor and some of the associates of Kwankwaso. THISDAY recalls that a political pressure Group in the state, Kwankwasiyya Solidarity Forum, led by Alhaji Sharu Garba Gwammaja once said in a statement that Kwankwasiyya stood for peace, progress transparency, accountability, good governance and rule of law.
He, however, alleged that “The Ganduje administration had betrayed the movement by not keeping to its ideals since succeeding Kwankwaso in 2015.”
The movement also used the occasion to celebrate the 60th birthday of their leader, Kwankwaso, saying the decision to issue the order was borne out of the fact that Ganduje had betrayed the entire movement.
“The former governor, Dr. Rabi’u Kwankwaso made education free, established two universities and executed over 6,000 projects across the state. This made it possible for about 2.3 million people to register as Kwankwasiyya members in the state,” he added.
Chairman of the group, a former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Rabi’u Sulaiman Bichi, played some socialcum education politics, when he commended Kwankwaso for sponsoring a bill seeking extension of JAMB validity from one to two years.
“This bill will serve Nigerians yet unborn because of his concern for education. We will continue with the Ideology of Kwankwasiyya movement because it stands for equal opportunity and education for all in addition to women and youths empowerment.”
This is why some APC stakeholders in the North West, including the Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, have continued to appeal to the two political allies to sheathe their sword and allow peace to reign. Masari in particular said, “I don’t think Kwankwaso or Ganduje can build any political alliance that will last to the time they have lasted”.
The Katsina governor told THISDAY in an interview that “We are working behind the scene to see how we can bring the two of them together so that they can stop what they are doing to themselves. The energy the government is spending; the energy Kwankwaso is spending could have been used for the development of Kano better than what is happening presently.
“I think there is a jinx in Kano, which we are hoping the current leadership will break in the future, because they were together since 1999 and I don’t think Kwankwaso or Ganduje can build any political alliance that will last to the time they have lasted. 1999 to 2015 is not a joke, and I seriously doubt if they can build such political alliance that can last for over 16 years with anybody.
“So, their political life and career are inter-twined. We thought with this political marriage and deep understanding between Kwankwaso and Ganduje, the political jinx in Kano would have been broken, because Malam Aminu Kano fell out with the late Abubakar Rimi. From then on, that of Sabo Barkinzuwo didn’t last more than three months. During the NRC and SDP, Kabiru Gaya parted ways with his people like Abba Dabo, his former SSG. The crack was visible.
“Kwankwaso came in 1999 and parted ways with Musa Gwadabe and others. So, when Shekarau came, with all what General Muhammadu Buhari did for him, they fell apart in ANPP. Kwankwaso in PDP; he fell out with the PDP again and joined the new PDP, later APC. So, we thought that at least this time, having been together for a long time, the jinx would have been broken.”
Such interventions notwithstanding, the elements of their feud became more pronounced when Kwankwaso reportedly went to condole with the governor over the death of his mother in his village of Ganduje in Dawakin Tofa, and was escorted by hundreds of thugs, who allegedly harassed the governor and accused him of not carrying members of the Kwankwasiyya movement along in the running of his government, despite their support towards his election.
And in a more compelling show of strength, a group of people woke up on Tuesday morning and started taunting the rumour that Kwankwaso had defected to the PDP, a development that had immediately created panic in Kano State’s body polity. But realising the implications of the mendacious report, the former governor quickly debunked the news.
Kwankwaso, who is the Senator representing Kano Central, said “I have no intention of leaving APC. It is rumour by politicians, whose ship is sinking; politicians, who lost relevance and wanted to be relevant by making reckless and baseless statements.
Speaking to THISDAY through his former Commissioner for State Affairs, Comrade Aminu AbdulSalam Gwarzo, Kwankwaso said those irrelevant politicians think they could attract attention to themselves by making this false statement.
“Kwankwaso remains a bonafide APC member and as a senior stakeholder for that matter, who is commanding respect within ranks and file of the APC and even beyond. Kwankwaso has no time for these irritants. He will remain as a most respected APC chieftain in the party.”
Political analysts, however, hold the view that the crisis between the Kwankwasiyya group and Ganduje will not help the state in anyway as the two political heavyweights can only destroy what they have built together as a team over the years, unless they see the signs and close ranks.