There has never been a dull moment in Kano political space since the advent of participatory democracy spanning through the first Republic to date.
Unarguably, the late Aminu Kano set the ball rolling through his Northern Progressives Union (NEPU), and People’s Redemption Party (PRP), that birthed an established reactionary order that stood Kano state out of the wood.
Interestingly, the likes of second Republic Kano most colourful, and celebrated politician, Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi, and lately, Kano political godfather, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso sustained Kano distinct culture of self-worth, group interest and in effect made the one city state an envy of its peers in the polity.
Undoubtedly, this long standing tradition of political etiquette made votes count in the largest commercial hub in sub-saharan Africa, no thanks to its vociferous reactionary political actors .
Therefore, it’s not out of place that the Appeal Court verdict that voided the electoral victory of Abba Kabir Yusuf as governor of Kano State, and the attendants hullabaloo unsettled the dynamism of a conservative tradition that prides itself “tumbi giwa” with attendants ripple effect.
The ancient city renowned for its established structures and leadership was not only jolted, but was pervaded by uneasy calm that pushed the state with over 15 million population to the brink of civil unrest.
Of course, lawyers from both sides of the divide had argued brilliantly for or against the verdict, but the fact on ground remains that most of Kano dwellers who took part in that epic election were convinced of an alleged sinister attempt to steal the popular mandate through the back door.
Ever since the Court of Appeal reaffirmed the decision of the lower court, Kano political temperament has been stretched to breakable limits. In every home, streets, discussion forum, citizens have openly, and most times picked parallel lines against the verdict.
Moreso, that the contradictory certified true copy of the ruling reinforced the wild belief that there is a conscious effort to steal a popular mandate.
But a US based Nigeria Professor of mass communications, Farooq Kperogi in his submission said the unfolding political situation in Kano “is clearly not a legal issue. It’s a battle for political supremacy in Kano between Ganduje and Kwankwaso in which Ganduje is deploying the courts as cudgels to frustrate Kwankwaso.”
Ace columnist, Lasisi Olagunju, in his column, “Monday lines” Nov 27th, described the Court of Appeal verdict on the Kano governorship case as “judicial adultery”. He queried “could three whole paragraphs carefully written with words correctly spelt be called a ‘clerical error’?
But Kperogi was quick to add that the action may ignite an inferno in Kano whose effect we can’t predict given Kano’s well-known volatility. ”
The outrage generated by the verdict of the wise men no doubt brought Nigeria judiciary to disrepute. Worst still, an average man on the street now believes that judgment is now for the highest bidder.
For sure, uncertainty becloud Kano space, as various social political groups have reacted to the emerging scenario, and have adopted a safety net to unwind the development.
In recent times, the state capital, Kano, that harbours the largest voting population, the economic soul of the region has witnessed huge street protests over the “controversial verdict” despite efforts by security agencies to thwart the citizens’ right to self-expression.
Central to this worrisome development was the fear expressed by the Concerned Yoruba group in the city. Comrade Taofeek Olalekan Olaosebikon, Secretary General of the pan Afenifere group in Kano explained “History is there to enlighten us better. Kano is a very volatile state politically and this is the reason why all men and women of goodwill should be concerned about the situation in Kano and rally round towards a collective initiative to save the state from any calamity which will affect us and our livelihood.
Taofeek Olalekan Olaosebikon, explained “We the Yoruba in Kano have been here long enough to articulate and appreciate the political tendencies here and implications for our common good. For the record, many of us were born and raised in Kano, indeed, we have become “Kano indigenes” in some strategic sense. This is our home as we have come to acknowledge and appreciate our stay in Kano and indeed our economic sustenance, wellbeing and development.
He said head or tail “the unfolding political situation will have adverse effects on us Yorubas in Kano.
Comrade said “Kano must not be allowed to erupt into such preventable chaos as it happened in the past. Of course, many enlightened minds believe very strongly that what we are witnessing in Kano today has a strong relationship with political elite interference in the political results and mandate so obviously given to Abba Kabir Yusuf by the citizens of the state.
There must thus be an elite formation to quickly come together and talk with Mr. President so that he sees beyond whatever briefing he is getting on Kano by vested interests within and outside his party, and act as a statesman”
He warned “Kano must not be allowed to burn on the altar of political expediency or interest, or calculation towards 2027 for that matter.”
Comrade Olaosebikon isn’t alone on this line of thought. Farooq Kperogi posited that “Righteous anger over obvious injustice—on top of ongoing existential torment in the country—can spark violence whose consequence we can’t predict.
Kperogi reputed for his bluntness counseled
“President Tinubu to be very watchful because this is really treacherous territory.”
But a Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Ilyasu Musa Kwankwaso in a statement accused the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Kwankwasiyya Movement of deliberate ploys to heat the polity.
Musa Kwankwaso, former Commissioner for Rural and Community Development under former governor Ibrahim Shekarau said everyone is going about his daily business except those paid crowds trying to create tension. After all, who will come out to protest because the court has sacked Abba, after demolishing their property?”
Iliyasu Kwankwaso lamented that the current efforts by NNPP, and its Kwankwasiyya allies are “sign that the end has come for them, that is why they are all over the place trying to create unnecessary tension.”
He stressed “The Kano people cannot be cajoled using sponsored protests because they believe that it is Allah that gives power to whom He wishes and takes it from whom He wishes, and if He takes it from Abba Kabir Yusuf and gives it to Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, so be it.”
Against the backdrop of this jaw jaw, police foiled a violent clash last week when supporters of the ruling party NNPP, clashed with opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) members at Gwale local government secretariat of Kano metropolis following a futile attempt by the suspended Chairman, Khalid Ishaq Diso to assume duty.
Unspecified number of persons were injured in the mayhem as the police authority in the city deployed tanks to restore order, and successfully forestalled the spread.
Last Wednesday free for all came on the heels of an attack by yet to be identified assailants who exploited the cloak of night to set seven offices ablaze at Gwale Council Secretariat.
Yusuf who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam declared that the mandate handed over to New Nigeria People’s party (NNPP), remains sacrosanct, as he stressed that they would do everything humanly necessary to protect and defend the mandate at the Apex court.
“People are agitated and getting more and more restive. We are calling on people to stay calm because Kano is our only state, we have no other state than Kano state.
He warned that “call for peace should not be mistaken as being overwhelmed by fear, rather a patriotic move to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order in the state due to its importance in the region and the entire country.”
The soft spoken Deputy Governor stressed
“I am therefore here to see for myself what happened and the extent of the damages caused by this unfortunate incident carried out by some miscreants”.
Whichever way one may choose to look at it, Kano State is on the edge, well positioned between the shield, and the sword, the drumbeat of war is loud, threat to peace loom large over the state, political tolerance has taken flight, and hate speech in its place, a roaring reminder of a strategic state on a full flight to Kigali.
As Nigerians now await for Daniel to come to judgment at the Supreme Court, it remains unclear whether Kano already positioned on a keg of gunpowder will be served with justice to diffuse the explosive. Only time will tell.
AHMAD TIJJANI ABDUL
