Kano State

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Youth Society for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Social Vices (YOSPIS) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to forestall the recurrence of the mistakes that pervaded the Kano State gubernatorial election. 

YOSPIS made the appeal in a press statement signed by its Executive Director, Zainab Nasir Ahmad, on Wednesday. 

In the statement, the group outlined their observations of the election and recommended what INEC should do differently in subsequent elections. 

Some of the group’s recommendations include reducing the number of party agents at the polling unit, addressing the technical issues of BVAS, and the security of electoral materials, amongst other things. 

The group congratulated the Kano governor-elect, Abba Kabir Yusuf and wished him the best in his administration.

By Nusaiba Ibrahim

The 2023 gubernatorial elections will go down in history as one of the most highly contested, especially in Kano. After eight years of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje-led government, his party, APC, could not secure the first position. Neither the victory of the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, nor the popularity of President Muhammadu Buhari was significant in the tight race that was fiercely fought between the governorship candidates. 

There were just countless permutations, combinations, analyses and whatnot on the proposed outcome of the gubernatorial elections coming from different viewpoints and existing realities, especially after the presidential and upper chamber elections. However, one thing that stood out was the incredible performance of the NNPP in Kano. And this became a challenging point for the ruling APC until the opposition candidate Abba Kabir Yusuf of NNPP emerged victorious.

While the Presidential elections had minimal cases of vote buying, Kano recorded massive acts of vote buying with petty items like soaps, detergents, wrappers and spaghetti during the gubernatorial and state house of assembly elections. In addition, in some strategic locations, there were significant disruptions in the voting and counting processes. But, of course, all of these aren’t out of the normal as tensions had already heightened after the presidential polls.

Nothing summed up the 2023 elections in Kano for me more than the chants of competence over spaghettis. Indeed, “taliya ba ta zabe” (loosely translated – spaghetti doesn’t vote). The likes of Senator Barau Jibrin, among others, only escaped losing their seats because of the hard work they channelled to community service and distinctive competencies. I’m in awe of how each candidate has been weighed based on the capacity to earn the invaluable mandate of the people. Here are my takes on each candidate.

Governor–elect Abba Kabir Yusuf: By resisting all odds to emerge the winner of the elections in Kano State, the heart of Northern Nigeria, you deserve resounding applause. You have also proven your worth to the electorates after losing the 2019 election, which was first declared inconclusive. So, your victory is a testimony of a relentless effort to achieve this desired objective. More so, preserving a loyal fanbase over these years is unimaginable and a strategic tool for your success. But you need to understand that more must be done. The game has just begun.

You would be serving the entire citizens of Kano, which includes your loyalists and a bunch of opposition. It would be easy if you’ve not made many promises during your campaigns, and even if you haven’t, you’ll still be judged anyway. You might face the gigantic task of restoring Kano State to what it used to be. The truth is, that might be impossible to do. Do not waste your time unveiling the errors of the past administration; the people are already full of new yearnings and aspirations. Focus on health, security, education, economy and adverse effects of climate change. They are the priority now.

Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna: Kano is proud of a citizen like you, though you have yet to accept defeat. Nothing compares to being crushed in a public engagement. You’ve taken a wise decision of not resorting to leading thugs to disrupt collation processes this time because you would make news for the wrong reasons, coupled with a widely shared photo of you explaining what happened to police offers. You must have performed your best after serving the people of Kano under three with three administrations in your lifetime. You should be thankful for this rare achievement that not everyone is fortunate to have. You’ve also made the history of being a loyal assistant for eight years – not so many deputies were lucky as you are. Better still, you can go to court if unsatisfied with the results.

Shaaban Ibrahim Sharada: When all youths were wary and incompetent to approach the governorship candidacy, you dared all doubts to stand out. Your candidacy was an ideal reflection of the future of the northern youths. There was so much to cull from what you exuded until the election. Your confidence reminded youths about the times of Tafawa Balewa, Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna, Malam Aminu Kano and Maitama Sule. Your grasp of the Kano situation wowed the audience anytime you spoke. You were ready to oppose the status quo even at the risk of your dearest life. But, unfortunately, the political trajectory was faulty. Defeating candidates with an established loyal fanbase needs more time, not a dying-minute preparation.

Mallam Ibrahim Khalil: Like Shaaban, you tried hard to showcase that an Islamic cleric is efficient enough to contest an election. You boldly did not play politics lowkey by supporting some politicians during your sermons and lectures. You challenged the maxim of playing politics as a war without or sometimes with bloodshed. You blocked your ears on people’s thoughts about the inappropriateness of clerics going into politics despite its indecency and ruthlessness. Although you lacked the support of other clerics, you were still confident in your quest. I applaud your effort, mainly because, unlike others, you didn’t hide under religion to back dubious politicians. Unfortunately, the current political trend is not ready for your clean style.

Results from around the country show signs of revolution from all over the nation. It is not just a red cap revolution in Kano but a ‘wake da shinkafa’ [rice and beans] revolution across the country – Zamfara State is one interesting illustration. I’m overly pleased that competence was echoed until it transformed into an actuality.  I hope these revolutionary divergences will be a reason for the prosperity of Kano and Nigeria.

Nusaiba Ibrahim Na’abba is a master’s student from the Department of Mass Communication, BUK. She is a freelance writer and researcher. She can be reached via nusaibaibrahim66@gmail.com.

Dear Sir,

I shall begin by congratulating you for winning the governorship election in Kano state. I am thrilled to write this letter, and I hope it will reach you in a sound manner.

Sir, the awaiting day has arrived, and your dream and ours have come true. The long and rough journey we have been travelling on has now come to an end. A new journey has begun.

Sir, you have witnessed the outstanding hard work and roles played by scholars, educationists and students in bringing you to this stage. We must salute the investment in education by the father, founder and leader of “Kwankwasiyya” in the name of Eng. Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Education is the backbone of the development of every society. Therefore, reformation of the lopsided education system in this state is what poor masses have been dreaming of, and it is one of their reasons (if not the major) for casting their votes for you, courageously hoping that you will repair the broken shoulder of the education system in this state.

I hope this letter will serve as a call for the revocation of the defraud-sold public properties: some parts of the land of some primary and secondary schools, tertiary institutions, and some government organisations by the outgoing government around Kano state.

I shall also not be reluctant to mention the sale of GSS Panshekara, WRECA Quarters, land and defunct abattoir along Panshekara road. I am sure each of these lands is more than enough to build a new primary or secondary school or faculty for some of our state tertiary institutions.

Furthermore, civil servants should also not be forgotten or left behind. We hope that the incessant tears running in their faces for many years hope will be stopped and wiped by your blessing palms.

Sir, I hope you will act as your name implies, “Abban Kanawa”, which means “father of Kano people”. You will handle and take care of us as your children. May Allah help you and make it easier for you to carry out your duties and bring Kano state forward.

Yours faithfully,

Musa Idris Panshekara.

By Umar Ahmad El-Rufai

Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil is a renowned Islamic scholar. However, as a gubernatorial candidate in Kano, he didn’t hide under religion to win an election.

Whether you know it or not, he didn’t beg others to endorse him due to his identity as an Islamic scholar. He regards himself as a politician. Every politics is local.

He campaigned like everyone and participated in politics. That’s his constitutional right. However, he neither sought donations from his students nor others dignitaries.

As a result of Malam’s political journey, anyone among our Islamic scholars is free to venture into politics now. Nobody should hide under religion to achieve his political goals.

Sheikh Ibrahim Khaleel became chairman of the Northwest Nigeria Council of Ulama, an organisation of Muslim religious leaders. He has been opening big doors with small keys. 

I regard him as a winner that reforms the system. As a result, nobody will come to get cheap popularity under religion. That’s a victory for everyone.

Politics is good to some. Mallam will be remembered as a political reformist. So do your politics; don’t hide under religion. The game is over.

Umar Ahmad Rufai wrote from Kano via umarahmadrufaijr@gmail.com. He is a student at Dala College of Education.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 
 
Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress was defeated in the Kano governor’s race by Abba Yusuf, a candidate for governor from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
 
Gawuna, the state’s deputy governor, is Abdullahi Ganduje’s chosen candidate, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano State and the NNPP’s presidential candidate, is a strong supporter of Abba Yusuf.
 
At the conclusion of the collation across 44 local government areas (LGAs) in the state, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Yusuf the winner.
 
The returning officer, Ahmad Dokko Ibrahim, declared that Yusuf got 1,019,602 votes, while Gawuna got 890,705 votes.
 
In 2019, Yusuf ran against Ganduje in what was viewed as an extremely contentious election that was considered rigged.
 
 
 

By Uzair Adam Imam

As votes were cast yesterday, the Kano State people continue to wait for the official announcement of the Governorship and the State House of Assembly elections` results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The umpire electoral body has this evening started the official announcement of the result today as returning officers of various polling units across the 44 local government areas submitted their elections results to the INEC.

However, some supporters of Eng. Abba Kabir Yusuf, the gubernatorial candidate of Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso`s New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), have started celebrations, given the wave of success they see from the results of various local government areas of the state.

The supporters took to their various social media platforms to celebrate Eng. Abba Kabir Yusuf said they foresee a better Kano under his administration, adding that they voted for him to continue the good work of his political godfather, Eng Rabi`u Musa Kwankwaso.

The supporters predicted that Abba would win the election, and their posts, “Abba is coming, in sha Allah”, went viral on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp, among many other social media platforms, including Tiktok.

Eng. Abba Kabir Yusuf, popularly known as Abba Gida-Gida, has been the major opponent of Dr Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Gawuna, who is the Deputy Governor of the state, was nominated by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to succeed him.

During the BBC`s debate for the governorship candidates in the state, Gawuna was also reported to have said that he would continue the good works of all his predecessors, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, Eng. Rabi`u Musa Kwankwaso and Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Other candidates include Sadiq Wali of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sha`aban Sharada of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), and Malam Ibrahim Kalil of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), among other candidates.

By Abdussamad Ahmad Yusuf

While political support entirely is a choice, governed by emotion and often guided by personal aggrandisement, it is surprising if putting it written dismisses intellectual-based assessments and analyses coming from a scholar, even though a public relations consultant. So let me be clear here. I expect, yes, from a political PR consultant to sweet mouth his principal.

However, an assignment of this colour requires an honest appraisal of factors and challenges that might impede the principal’s success and how to mitigate them. Anyway, I rise to the task of unravelling the concoction of emotion and politics wrapped in the last article of Mallam Adnan Mukhtar Tudunwada titled Why Gawuna will win Kano Governorship.

The people of Kano are, at the moment, out at the polling unit to choose the next state governor between the quartet: Ibrahim Khalil; the charismatic Kano Malam, Abba Kabir Yusuf; Kwankwaso-backed candidates, the ‘born-again’ Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, and the carrier of the old school PRP; Salihu Tanko Yakasai!

Unlike Adnan, I do not have a personal relationship with any of the four. Therefore, my response is purely based on the analysis of his candidate, Hon. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna. Readers will believe me that an analysis of Gawuna should never be unconnected with the un-ceremonial Ganduje administration, especially since he is the number two.

The bane that will eventually cost Gawuna the Kano gubernatorial seat is, to list very few of the significant;

First. The Gawuna’s involvement in the Kano black history of ‘inconclusive’. It was exactly one year when the citizens of Kano, tired of the reckless and unthoughtful administration of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, after parting way with his old political ally Rabiu Kwankwaso, came out en masse to vote out the administration.

However, Gawuna disrupted the final collation of Nasarawa LG results and eventual cancellations effected by INEC, leading to the declaration of the election as inconclusive. Then, as though this is not enough, Gawuna and cohort mobilised for the re-run, thugs that banned legitimate voters from exercising their enfranchise. One!

Two. After assuming office, Gawuna was party to the crimes committed by the Administration of his principal, Ganduje. The vendetta set out by their reign cost the revered emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, his throne. It didn’t stop at the elite; the vendetta did not spare even the proletariats. The story of ‘Yan Adaidaita Sahu is permanently fresh with traps to whittle their business network. It became a gist that ‘yau baba wa kuma zai sosa’ people expressed their fear.

Salaries were slashed. Pension became uncertain. KAROTA unleashed to markets where they apprehend business allies as they set out to leave Kano in vehicles after transactions at Kwari, Singa, Wambai, Galadima, etc. Of all these shams, Gawuna has proven himself to be with the Talakawa. Neither him expressing disappointment on how Ganduje massacres the future of the state. We have known of the ‘Yan tebura mall and the corruption there. The butchery of Kwari and Kofar Wambai markets, the persecution of Farm Centre phone marketers, and the Kano Cancer Centre corruption charges led to the lay-off of Engr Muaz Magaji.

Third. It is even wiser not to talk of education, health and the civil service. The statistics and data by both Governmental and Non-governmental tracking bodies are something to give you tears.

Fourth. Respect and dignification for elder statesmen Gawuna pretend to have. Where was he when his principal, in his front, called the Kano elders ‘Dattawan wukari’? Where was he when he shunned the Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, et al., mediation to dethrone Emir Muhammadu Sanusi? Where was he when Adaidita Sahu riders were called Yan Iska, rascals by the MD KAROTA – Baffa Babba?

Where was he when a grand allegation of corruption was being unearthed left, right and centre in the government? He’s a second. Where was he when pensioners and civil servants were denied their full salaries, wages and pension? Where was he when businesses and traders in the state are being pauperised deliberately? These are some of what will cost Gawuna the seat of Governor and why he will fail.

Fifth. The ‘youth constituency’ became the major ‘enemy’ of Gawuna politically, not by coincidence, because their administration has shown indifference to the plight of the youth. They first fizzled out the foreign scholarship program they inherited neither continue to age-long domestic scholarships to tertiary institution students. There was no ‘Youth empowerment’ program such as the Tukwui’s Fish and Poultry, nor Gabasawa’s school for security studies or Kura’s Sport.

No ‘Gawuna or Gandujiyya’ taxis or the Garman Shanu rural-farming boost programs exist—zero youth-centred human capital development. So what was/is the future of youth under the Ganduje-Gawuna and Gawuna-Garo administrations? This is a one-billion-dollar question! Answer with reference to his past antecedence.

The Kano citizens under Ganduje were subjected to hardship and stern corruption. They no longer trusted the government and its officials. This prompted them to have launched a search for alternatives in 2019. Shaaban Sharada emerged, who soon garnered reception, Mallam Khalil made a deep inroad, and Dawisu in the race, among others.

If these third forces could become something to reckon with in the Kano polity at the moment, how about the Kwankwasiyya ‘bloc’ that had given Ganduje-Gawuna a hard knock in 2019 and 2023 they re-strategizes and already won two senators out of three, and more than 18 seats for REPs out 24 in the state? These are factors that won’t allow Gawuna to emerge victorious today.

Abdussamad wrote via abdussamadahmad69@gmail.com from Abuja, monitoring the election.

By Auwal Umar

Fifth, the Kano people versus the Kano Government Act of Butchery on Land: The writer of this piece is neither environmentalist nor a climate expert, but from the little I know, it is never good for the health and wellbeing of the environment when open spaces in schools, road pavements, school premises and graveyards are fully or partially commercialised. Does this mean our urban areas are as well-planned as other major cities in Nigeria?

Kano’s schools and higher institutions were butchered not to afforest some trees to save us all from the danger of climate change or to provide new classes to alleviate overcrowding in our jam-packed classes that make the teaching and learning environment unconducive. The glutinous act of butchery of the Kano land by the invisible knives of the state government has not spared school vicinities, mosque premises or even graveyards in some instances.

As an illustration, many plots of land were carved out from the School of Management Studies Kano, located near the Sheikh Ja’afar Road and inexplicably allotted to the highest bidders to construct houses. If shame were an animal or human, it would surely be skinned alive. Arguably in most of our primary schools, one class is forced to accommodate two or three hundred pupils. It is surprising that there’s still a government in existence whose target is to commercialise the available spaces that are yet inadequate.

Sixth, Ƴan Adaidaita-Sahu (tricyclists) versus the Kano APC Government: No serious government attempts to base its decision solely on a profit-oriented venture instead of people based. The socioeconomic importance of this socially commercial venture to the state cannot be in any way overemphasised. It would be a minor miracle for business moguls like Dangote and BUA to be able to fully employ these youth when they are forced off the road to look for livelihoods elsewhere. Alarmingly, most of them might resort to illegal ways to sustain themselves.

Despite the huge amount of money the state government generates daily from these hundreds of thousands of youth, the tricyclists operate under constant threats from the KAROTA MD, who wants to ban the profession, notwithstanding the precarious consequences the so-called action may have on the whole state. For example, the Kano market experienced a drastic reduction in the number of customers because the state government has failed woefully to make necessary provisions to cater for the needs of the commuters due to its hasty decision to frustrate the people, perhaps owing to the perceived grudges they had with the governor. Many issues transpired as a result.

The tricyclists were forced to pay about ₦20,000 for a tracker. It is common knowledge that a ‘tracker’ is a technological device that provides much range of functions, including tracing the location of the vehicle, mileage report, stay report, overspeed report, fuel consumption report, travel report moving overview, driver’s behaviours and more importantly, it ensures the security of both the vehicle and the rider. This seemingly new development was welcomed by all and sundry. But to our chagrin, the supposed tracking device mysteriously transformed into a sticker.

The riders used their hard-earned money and tolerated the wonderful disappearance of their sweat for the love of peace. The maltreatment they were subjected to was best explained by both Barrister Abba Hikima and Malam Mubarak Ibrahim Lawan, who stood out and sacrificed their time to fight for them, with the former being their advocate in and outside the court.

Let everyone know that Adaidaita Sahu is not a venture that benefits only a few people. No, the entire Kano populace benefits from it directly or indirectly. For example, traders, students, guests, civil servants and the whole commuters are direct beneficiaries. The state government only suspends the ban for a while because of the looming election and the fear of the backlash from the teeming tryclists. But if they assume power again, nothing may stop them from going ahead with the ban. It is only God who knows how much billions several people invested in the Adaidaita Sahu business. What will be the fate of such a huge investment if this government reinstates the purported plan to ban this profession? The voters will answer these questions on 18th March 2023.

Seventh, the State Civil Servants versus the Kano APC Government: There is constant uncertainty about the actual amount of salary of civil servants in Kano and the time salary is paid in the state. I can vividly remember the biting economic conditions the generality of the Kano civil servants were subjected to during annual fasting periods and Sallah festivities. They were deliberately abandoned at the mercy of lenders and virtually inaccessible bank loans. In the spirit of mercy and compassion, they should have been paid on the 25th of the month of either Sallah or Ramadan fasting due to the increasing demand for money in such periods. This has been the story of Kano civil servants for so long.

In most cases, there is an urgent need for manpower in many ministries, with the education sector needing it the most. Our primary and secondary schools need more staff, but the government does not care to recruit new and competent hands, thereby leaving the current teachers with a heavy workload and a suffocating welfare package. The issue of promotion has become a serious headache for the poor teachers who deserve a promotion but cannot have it without a kickback, especially if you do not know who pulls the string in the top offices in the sector.

Eighth, the Kano Traders versus the APC-led Government: The highhandedness of the Kano state government towards marketers has made the business environment unfavourable. Gone are the days when a person could go freely to Kantin Kwari or Kofar Wambai markets without much apprehension about the parking lots. The lanes are not spacious enough due to the greediness that prompted the allocation of the space meant to be unquestionably public for commercial purposes. Many people can still recall how flood-ravaged many areas of the market recently. The unjust and greedy allocation of shops makes it difficult for the staff of the state’s fire service department to fight fire during some catastrophic infernos. Instead of the markets being decongested, the government created the very problem that made them jam-packed, thereby making it hard for business activities to run smoothly.

Ninth, commercialisation of public places: One can hardly explain what the Kano town plan looks like right now and how it used to be. Everything was thrown into confusion. Kofar Mata Eid prayer plot has been butchered and allocated to the highest-bidding traders. The famous Masallacin Waje was subjected to a similar fate. Many roadsides have experienced the same. Even schools. and graveyards are not spared from this unnecessary marketisation. Heck! Even some parts of the storied Sabon Gari stadium are commercialised.

In conclusion, the surge of anger in the minds of voters is an indication that the people are tired of this government’s style of administration. The issue of transparency and accountability are essential to any good governance. But many statistical data show that this government has performed so woefully in that areas. If we are serious and concerned about the state and overall development, we have cogent reasons to punish them with our PVCs on the D-Dsay.

Auwal Umar wrote from Kano. He can be contacted via auwaluumar9@gmail.com.

By Mukhtar Sani Yusuf 

I heard Senator-elect Honourable Kawu Sumaila describing himself and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as Sabo Bakin Zuwo and Aminu Kano of our time in an interview he granted to local radio stations in Kano a few days after he was declared the winner of the just concluded election on Kano South Senatorial district under the platform of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). Perhaps, Kawu Sumaila’s analogy has to do with the relationship that existed between Malam Aminu Kano and Aliyu Sabo Bakin Zuwo, the relationship between a leader and his disciple and those who fought and championed the course of emancipation of the poor people and the downtrodden. Kwankwaso and Kawu are now under the same umbrella, as a political leader and his loyalist following the same path of fighting for the common man’s rights.

Although Malam Aminu Kano and Alhaji Sabo Bakin Zuwo are household names in the political history of Nigeria and Kano state in particular, Kawu Sumaila’s recent statement aroused my attention as passionate of political history to take a deep dive into the political history of the two ace politicians of the blessed memory. And in this piece of writing, I laid my emphasis on where Bakin Zuwo and Kawu Sumaila shared some similarities and differences.

According to Wikipedia, “Sabo Bakin Zuwo had no background in formal education, he missed the opportunity to get formal education at an early age but was said to enrol himself at the age of sixteen at Shahuci primary school adult literacy class in 1950-1954, Igbo community school Sabon Gari and a course on local government administration in ABU Zaria. He also attended Malam Aminu Kano political school in Sudawa, Kano. An outspoken politician, Zuwo was said to have used radio more effectively than any other politician in Northern Nigeria. He was elected to the Senate in 1979 and sponsored more bills than any other senator at the time.”

Unlike Bakin Zuwo, Kawu Sumaila acquired formal education at an early age. He attended Sumaila  Gabas Primary School, Sumaila, and Government Secondary Sumaila, where he earned his First School Leaving Certificate and Secondary School Leaving Certificate in the years 1976 & 1988, respectively. He proceeded to Bayero University Kano and acquired a Diploma and an Advanced Diploma in Educational Management before he was elected to the House of Representatives in 2003 and spent 12 years representing Sumaila/Takai Federal constituency. Like Bakin Zuwo, Kawu utilises radio oftentimes to enlighten the local populace. An outspoken lawmaker, Kawu sponsored many important bills that reshaped the status of Nigerians during his days in the House of REPs.

In the 1983 gubernatorial election in Kano, Bakin Zuwo contested the election under the platform of PRP and defeated former governor Alhaji Abubakar Rimi. Even though he had the shortest reign as a governor of Kano state from October to December of 1983, he is remembered for his act of closing down the popular palace cinema in Kano, which was considered the haven of immorality at the time after listening to the yearnings of people. 

Like Bakin Zuwo, Kawu also contested the seat of Kano state governor in 2015 after he finished three tenures in the House of Representatives. He later withdrew the contest on the day of the APC primary election to support the candidacy of the current governor of Kano state, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. He was appointed SSA to the president on National Assembly matters shortly after president Buhari emerged as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015.

In what appears similar to the act of Alhaji Sabo Bakin Zuwo in 2016, there was a public outcry in Kano on the federal government’s proposed film village to be cited in the state after listening to the peoples’ call who vehemently rejected the project, Kawu singlehandedly took the bull by the horns to approach the president on the matter. This single act led the federal government to rescind its position about the project.

One thing I learned about Alhaji Sabo Bakin Zuwo and Senator-elect Kawu Sumaila, which they shared in common, is vociferousness in voicing out their stance, especially when fighting for the interest of their people.

Hon. Kawu Sumaila is now elected Senator who will represent the people of Kano South in the Red Chamber, and before he was elected, he reached the pinnacle of formal education as he bagged PhD in political science.

Mukhtar Sani Yusuf wrote from Kano and can be reached via mukhtarsaniyusuf678@gmail.com.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Commissioner of Police in charge of the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Kano State, Muhammed Usaini Gumel, has pledged to ensure a peaceful election in Nigeria’s Center of Commerce.

CP Gumel, in a press briefing on Thursday in Kano, disclosed the readiness of the Police to ensure that the guber and state parliamentary elections are conducted peacefully.

CP Gummel, in the press briefing, outlined the measures taken by the Police to avoid security breaches during the election.

According to him, the Police have undertaken security analysis and upscale the level of preparation across all the polling units in Kano State.

He said, “We have undertaken security threat analysis and upscale the level of preparation for the elections across all the polling units at the local government areas of the state, and we are fully prepared to emplace the requisite strategies towards managing the identified threats.”

Against the backdrop of Police preparedness, CP Gumel sought the trust and confidence of the people of Kano. He stated that criminals that wish to thwart the electoral process would be decisively dealt with.

“Ladies and Gentleman, please give us confidence so that nobody should be in doubt, I repeat, nobody should be in doubt as to the current capacity and renewed determination of the police to deal decisively with elements that attempt to test the will by engaging in political violence or other electoral manipulations including vote buying or use of threats; direct or indirect which are some of the elements threatening our democratic values.

“A similar warning also goes to any person that intends to offer himself to be used negatively by some ungodly political class in the state and urges him/her to take the advice that it will be better to have a rethink or else be ready to face the harsh consequences. Thank you for listening,” He said.