Kano 2015: How Kwankwaso Was Forced To Annoint His Deputy

Ahead 2015, political permutations in Kano remain uncertain—but what Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso of the state who is also vying to occupy Aso Rock in 2015 under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC), has done is to save his head from political isolation in the volatile northern state is his last minute decision to bow to pressure as he has already anointed his Deputy, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as his successor by handing down the APC gubernatorial flag to him.

This decision was not an easy one for Kwankwaso who before now had been in a silent political rivalry with his second-in-command. Ganduje himself who by pretense or sincerity played loyalty to his boss before now secretly hibernated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 247ureports gathered that prior to Ganduje’s anointment, he had held secret meetings with leaders of the PDP in the state and political enemies to his boss who had also promised him automatic ticket if only he could desert APC and move into PDP with his supporters. Seeing the handwriting on the wall, staunch supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, a political dynasty under the control of Kwankwaso prevailed on him to give Ganduje a chance to run so as to save the Kwankwassiya Political cult from embarrassment or losing out of power completely in the state. There were also pressures from outside Kano which made Kwankwaso who before now was preparing his in-law, Commissioner for Works, Abba Yusuf to succeed him. Another person in the mind of Kwankwaso was the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Rabi’u Suleiman Bichi who is known to all as a very loyal servant to the man who declared that he is wearing political iron shoe.

One of Kwankwaso’s political associate and party man who played a major role in the anointment of Ganduje is Sokoto state Governor, Aliyu Wammako. Wammako, Kwankwaso and three other governors had rebelliously decamped from PDP in the wake of a Special Convention late last year. It has also been learnt that Wammako is currently mounting pressure on Kwankwaso to ensure that the current Commissioner for Agriculture, Gawuna emerge running-mate to Ganduje.  Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna is of the legacy party, a bloc within the APC. He was one of those who dumped the current Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau for Kwankwaso.

Hailing Kwankwaso for supporting his ambition the day he picked nomination and expression of interest form, Ganduje , “this is a historic occasion. Today, we have purchased the forms and we hope to retain power in 2015. Our party, especially, the Kwankwasiyya Movement is highly disciplined, well informed and works with facts and figures. We have adequate planning and this explains why we are where we are today. Our leader, the supreme commander of the Kwankwasiyya Movement made extensive consultations, permutations and political arithmetic to ensure that the best is done for the party because  he cannot afford to rubbish the legacies we have collectively built.

“It is based on this that he decided to make me the gubernatorial candidate. Ii thank him for this gesture and the confident he has reposed on me. The ball is now rolling and the campaign to Kano Government House has started. I know it is going to be tough and the tough will keep going. Our campaign strategy is based on issues; devoid of blackmail and name-calling. It will be based on the needs of Kano state. We are prepared to make Kano a mega-city, improve development in the rural areas and improve the quality of our population. We have decided to make our population an asset and not liability. We will give education priority; and I am going to consolidate on the achievements of our leader, His Excellency, Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso. We will also introduce new ideas and innovations,” he concluded

Ganduje has since been screened by a Committee led by former Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Muhammad Shaba Lafiyagi.

247ureports.com