Godfatherism: Now Kwankwaso’s third term agenda as Kano Governor becomes a reality

By Aminu Umar

The first generation of Nigerian governors during the 1999 transition of General Abdulsalami Abubakar completed their tenures in 2007. Most of them retired honorably, without being heard teleguiding their successors.

Some anointed candidates who became governors easily revolted against their godfathers in the post-1999 transition of 2007, while other states were taken over by the opposition.

As a bonafide citizen of Kano, one of the most politically sagacious states in Nigeria, I can say the state has been very fortunate in determining who governs it. That is why in 2003, the people voted out Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the political godfather of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, and elected Malam Ibrahim Shekarau. By the time Shekarau finished his term in 2011, his political godson, Malam Salihu Sagir Takai, did not survive the hammer of Kano’s electorate, ending that era of political godfatherism. Again, they gave Governor Abba’s political godfather, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a second chance.

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In the 2015 elections, swept by the APC wave across Nigeria, the APC anointed candidate from the Kwankwasiyya camp, and then Deputy Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, won the election by a landslide.

By March 2016, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje declared a political conflict against his former boss, Kwankwaso, allowing Ganduje to rule the state on his own terms. However, after Ganduje’s blunders as governor for eight years, Kano’s electorate saw an opportunity to send a message by voting out his anointed candidates, Nasiru Gawuna and Murtala Sule Garo, in the 2023 general elections.

Now, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Kwankwasiyya government is in power once again. However, keen political observers understand that Governor Abba is ruling the state under the tight grip of his political godfather, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was Kwankwaso’s personal assistant for a long time before being appointed Commissioner of Works and Housing when Kwankwaso returned as governor in 2011. Fearing a revolt like he experienced with Ganduje, Kwankwaso selected his loyal PA and in-law to become governor.

Now, as Governor Abba enters the last lap of his first term, reports indicate that the governor does not have full control over the state’s affairs. Followers of investigative journalist Danbello are aware of the embarrassing controversy surrounding the procurement of drugs for the 44 local governments. Millions of naira were allegedly diverted to the Ministry of Local Government, led by Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, who doubles as Deputy Governor.

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In a shocking public confession during the Novomed contract controversy, Governor Abba admitted he had no knowledge of the funds being diverted. Imagine, millions of naira were diverted without the knowledge of the state’s chief executive.

It took the intervention of the state’s Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the Novomed saga, summoning all accused parties, including the caretaker chairmen of local governments and the niece of the NNPP national leader, Musa Garba Musa.

What has further fueled suspicion is that Musa Garba Musa approached the courts to halt his multiple trials by national anti-corruption agencies such as the ICPC and EFCC.

Indeed, if Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf wants another term in 2027, he must break free from the chains of political godfatherism. The way things are going, it seems Kwankwaso is exercising undue influence over political decisions, reducing Governor Abba to a mere deputy in his own administration.

Since the start of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration, critical political meetings determining Kano’s fate have been held at Kwankwaso’s Miller Road residence instead of the Government House.

With local government elections slated for October 30, 2024, it has emerged that Senator Kwankwaso and Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam will decide the NNPP’s flagbearers, bypassing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the constitutionally recognized leader of the state.

Reports suggest that most current caretaker chairmen will be retained, not by the governor’s choice but by the Deputy Governor, with Kwankwaso’s full backing, further eroding the governor’s authority.

If Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf does not assert his independence and give Kwankwaso the “Fubara treatment”—like Nyesom Wike’s political godson did in Rivers State—his powers will continue to diminish. Kano’s tradition of independent politics, where governors break free from godfathers and work for the people, needs to be revived.

Aminu Umar is a concerned citizen of Kano