No matter how hard the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) administration in Kano tries, it cannot move beyond the towering legacy of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Since taking office in 2023, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s government has remained fixated on undoing Ganduje’s work rather than charting a new course for the state.
Observers say this obsession stems from one fundamental reality — the NNPP government lacks a clear development blueprint. Nearly two years in office, it has yet to deliver a single defining project or introduce a sustainable policy direction. Instead, much of its energy has been spent targeting the achievements of its predecessor through administrative reversals, political witch-hunts, and media propaganda.
The contrast between Ganduje’s era and the current administration could not be starker. During his eight years in office, Dr. Ganduje managed political tensions with remarkable skill, maintained stability within his party, and kept his government focused on development. He transformed Kano metropolis into an emerging mega city through extensive road networks, flyovers, and drainage systems, while also extending infrastructure and social services to the hinterlands.
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Unlike previous administrations that focused solely on Kano city, Ganduje’s vision embraced all parts of the state. His establishment of the new emirates — Karaye, Rano, Gaya, and Bichi — brought administrative presence and development closer to rural communities. That bold reform was welcomed with joy and celebration across the new emirates, as it represented inclusion, identity, and local progress.
In contrast, the NNPP government has been bogged down by internal crises, conflicting interests, and indecision. While Governor Yusuf continues to revisit Ganduje’s policies, the people of Kano are yet to feel the impact of his governance in real developmental terms.
Many analysts believe that the reason the NNPP government cannot “leave Ganduje alone” is because his record of performance remains unmatched. From education and healthcare to housing and urban renewal, Ganduje’s achievements continue to speak for themselves. His projects are visible across the state — a constant reminder of what purposeful leadership can achieve.
In essence, Ganduje’s era has become the yardstick by which Kano’s governance is measured. Until the current administration develops its own clear vision and strategy for growth, it will remain trapped in the shadow of a man whose name is synonymous with modern development in Kano.