WHY I DONT WANT ABBA TO WIN. - Bala Ibrahim

The purpose of politics according
 the encyclopedia is, to enable the members of a society to collectively achieve
important human goals they cannot otherwise achieve individually. Through negotiation, debate, legislation and other political structures, politics procures safety,
order and general welfare within the state. For the purpose of this analysis, I would lay bias emphasis on the achievement of goals that cannot otherwise be achieved

INDIVIDUALLY. I don’t know Abba personally, but I learnt his father had a brief stint in my town, Gaya. I also learnt he lives a stone throw away from my house in Kano. We seem not to share common friends or places of meeting, because he is behind us in birth, school and socialization. But I cannot say so of Kwankwaso, who although slightly older than me, but share a lot in common with me, except for humility.

My background as a journalist, had given me the advantage of meeting people, some voluntarily, others compulsorily, because of the magnetic influence of the media, particularly the medium I worked for. Iam not a politician, but I mingle a lot with politicians, and as per the above definition of the purpose of politics, I buy the idea of collective approach to achieving goals.


Collectivity encourages the participation of many, such that no individual can dominate, suppress or subjugate others, in the suggested sojourn. This is one of the anticipated aims of democracy. And that is precisely why those who promulgated the Nigerian constitution, under the borrowed

American presidential system, prohibited the retention or return to power as president or governor, by any individual, after the prescribed two terms.


Although implied, not inserted in that provision, is the ban on return to such powers through proxies. If you want to remain relevant in politics and continue contributing in governance, you can opt to go into legislation.


There is nothing wrong with that, and the constitution does not impose any limit to the number of terms one can serve in legislative capacity.

However, a situation where a surrogate is brought in as stopgap, silently suggests disguised perpetuation, with the ultimate intention of subjugation.


And this is the reversed ambition of democracy. For those familiar with the politics of Kano, particularly if you follow the intricate intrigues that led to the ascension of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to power, you cannot but pity the poor politician. Iam not supporting Ganduje in any way, far from that. In fact I sometimes don’t like him, because of his docility and disposition to being overly submissive.


If I have my way, I would opt for his deputy, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, who has the youthfulness, vibrancy and acknowledged acumen to meet the challenges of Kano today. Ganduje is only enjoying my sympathy because he has fallen victim of many conspiracies, all of which unlawfully harmful. Like I said in a previous write up, I don’t want to talk about the virally circulated dollar-collecting video, because the matter is under judicial consideration, and therefore prohibited from public discussion, suffice it to say that, I pray the court does justice on the matter.


I am supporting Ganduje because I don’t want him humiliated because of his simplicity. Iam supporting Ganduje because I don’t want continuity by default. Iam supporting Ganduje because he is paying the dual price of loyalty and humility.

I am also supporting Ganduje because of my personal and selfish bias-he supported PMB. Had Kwankwaso supported the candidature of Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, Eng. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi or help to promote Habu Ibrahim Fage, believe you me,

 I would have been on the front burner, campaigning and marketing their merits, because they are tested and trusted politicians. But to bring a relatively unknown person, just because he is a son in law and impose him to govern a state as complex and politically conscious as Kano, just because you want to have a third and fourth term, is a task that shouldn’t be done, no matter the quality and quantity of support received, by the sweet song of “abba gida gida”, which ironically and unconstitutionally, is being sang by some, even in my house.