By Adamu Muhammad Nababa
Introduction
In the heat of politicking, when Kano State Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf decamped from the _New Nigeria_ _People’s Party, NNPP_ to the Federal Government led _All_ _Progressive Congress,_ _APC_ in 2025, heaven was let loose. The Governor was attacked from all angles of the Kano polity and beyond that he has committed the political harakiri and betrayal of the 21st century. Except for his staunch supporters and those who choose to go with him holding on to their political offices, he was literally doomed for crucifixion. The attack seemed more vociferous because he had wrigled himself out of the apron he was tied by the irrepresible doyen of Kano politics, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, _FNSE_ barely two years into his first tenure.
There is no doubt that Senator Kwankwaso largely calls the shot in Kano politics and the success of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is seen as his political handwork and machinations with whom he had spent over forty years as a reliable ally and protegee. Therefore, to jump ship and leave Senator Kwankwaso in the cold, is a recipe for political suicide, if not a total extinction, so the mainstream Kwankwasiyya believe. But Governor Abba seemed to have some aces up his sleeve. He dared the Kwankwaso mystique, and threat, damned the consequences, and decided to curve a niche for himself, away from the shadow of his mentor. The Governor, along with his close confidents, looking at the political climate at the time including the crisis that engulfed the NNPP, resolved to find a better and secured platform for 2027 general elections. Having failed to convinced Senator Kwankwaso to jump ship together, Kwankwaso nonetheless left the NNPP for the _African_ _Democratic Congress_ , ADC, and almost immediately, left again to the _National_ _Democratic Congress_ , NDC where he accepted to be the running mate to Mr Peter Obi for the 2027 Presidential election. Mr Peter Obi hailed from the South East, and had contested for the Presidency in 2023 without success. He did, however, gave a good account of himself.
Why The Declaration?
Before the Governor cross carpet to the ruling APC, wasn’t there a semblance, an idea, or the plan of showing that all political and personal interests come after the interest of Kano? Didn’t Senator Kwankwaso imbibed and enforced the mantra implicitly or explicitly that Kano comes _First_ before anything? Was Senator Kwankwaso putting his personal interest before the interest of Kano State and it’s people? The Governor, of course knows better than anyone the answers to all these questions, our own is simply to concentrate on what the Governor has now declared, showing the clear path he has decided to take. After all, he is a seating Governor ready to prove his mettle to the Kano electorates. Of all the steps the Governor took in standing his ground and justifying it, none impresses more than his firm declaration that henceforth, whatever he will do as a Governor, or what he will refuse to do as the man of the moment, the first citizen, it will be hinged on a philosophy of placing the short and long term interest of _Kano First_ before any political and personal considerations. Thus, his apt declaration of the mantra of _Kano First_ repeatedly, automatically gained momentum and acceptance across Kano State and beyond.
All what he said as we understand, is that he has come of age. He no longer crawl, because he can walk, he no longer need the feeding bottle because he can feed himself, neither does he need to be spoon fed because he can use the cutleries himself. So, Senator Kwankwaso can only be proud that his mentee is saying that he is now by himself, fit to mentor others, because he has learnt the ropes.
Nevertheless, the declaration of the Governor, of _Kano First_ has since been subjected to various and several interpretations. Some have dug into the historical context of the mantra and throw it as an empty pronouncement without any value to development of Kano State, in fact, to them a derogatory American way of hitting hard at black consciousness and perceived terrorists and immigrants. The current Gubernatorial Aspirant of the NDC in Kano State, who was the former Deputy Governor to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo came out openly to mock the declaration as out of place in Kano. And yet many others consider it a master stroke hailing it as a new path that is most appropriate to make Kano people witness unprecedented development in all nooks and crannies of the state, away from the Kwankwasiyya version where everything starts and ends with the whims and caprices of the Kwankwasiyya leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. In essence, the Government will be accountable for every kobo it received and expended. The resources of Kano State will be channeled only to what will be of benefit to the people of Kano. In short, Kano people will remain the priority over any political decision.
The Clarion Call Is Gaining Ground
_Kano First_, has now come to stay, and it will remain so for the future. It echoes a clarion call to serve, to love, to care, to support the cause of Kano and to hope and believe that Kano is great and everything will be done to keep it so. The Governor doesn’t sound as if he was making a mere political statement but he has envisioned the path of greatness that Kano State should take, far apart and away from primordial political desires of primitive material accumulation by politicians. It is therefore a conscientious declaration that will enlighten every one in Kano, now and remain so as the aspiration for for all in the future.
Without any doubt, the provision of critical infrastructure going on in the state is unprecedented. From bridges to classrooms, hospitals and township roads, housing and office renovations as well as water supplies and solar power installations are seen all over the state. Bridges are being constructed in the city for ease of traffick flow.There is no sector that has not put listed, work is being triggered almost every week and seen in progress.
Today, we are witnessing a situation where everyone seem to be echoing the mantra of *Kano First* in order to call attention that the common good of Kano State supercedes the individual gain of everyone. Collectively, everyone will have the dividend of democracy amidst unity and peaceful coexistence.
The Expectations
There are always expectations from such a bold declarations by the State Governor in order to prove the seriousness and sincerity in the whole idea. Without going into every detail, as loyal supporters, one can only read between the lines whenever the Governor speaks and notice the flows, and interprete every word he said that will ultimately support the idea and make Kano as great as his vision. There are so many pieces that need to be put together and understood. The dirt, however it is, wherever it is, must be cleaned, quietly without raising any commotion. Clean the dirty deals that pulls the state backwards. Make a zero tolerance for corruption, or under hand deals for instance, in all Government establishments. People should change how they perceive the Government and feel they are part of it, they have a lot to contribute for the good of everyone. Ghost workers and truant staff must be fished out and put to use because the contribution of everyone is essential.
Time To Say It Louder
Given the above scenarios, it is time the State Government make a good case for the slogan, for now and the future. People would want to know more, how it will work and what is actually expected of everyone. There are a pocket of pronouncements by politicians and some embelems or stickers showing the Kano First philosophy. It should go also beyond the display on a facing cap and billboards, enlightenment is key, it is not loud enough to awaken and instill the desired consciousness into the minds of the people.
Conclusion
In the end, people are gradually subscribing, buying in to the slogan and for positive reasons. What is left to be done is to raise the slogan to higher level for everyone to know how serious the Government is committed to make people work for it and to also walk towards it always.
Adamu Muhammad Nababa
[email protected]
Kano, Nigeria
