History will forever remember people like Mallam Sa’adu Zungur the literary icon and politician that begets the simple progressive style of politics well known and associated with the people of Kano. The dynamic Kano political structure that is today seen and regarded as admiring model well over the country and beyond owed its manifestations under the tutelage of this great politician and teacher. Many believed that the sophistication of Kano politics and some politicians is beyond ordinary. Yes, but the truth of the matter is that most of Kano heavy weight politicians are bye and large disciples either directly or indirectly of this political guru, or must have tasted the fruits of his discipline and teachings through an intermediary.

Mallam Aminu kano of blessed memory was also a disciple of Mallam Sa’adu Zungur. Although histories accorded him unfair treatment that relegated him to a position of a poet with only Triumph Publishing Company Kano named to immortalize him. Yet, the Nationalist name has already been engraved deep in the mind of many political analyst of our present contemporary literary Society. Such neglect by both historians and politicians may be the genesis of what befell the present day Kano progressives that derailed from the path and succeeded only in answering the name devoid of ideological inclinations.

Many of these so called progressives believed that they were the custodians of progressive ideology and were able to satisfy their conscience foolishly that they are the guardians of the teachings of the founding fathers of the ideology. The funny side of these self proclaimed progressives is in their cunning individual definition of progressive ideology that allow each and every one of them to believe that apart from himself all others that claimed being progressives in their ideological and political pursuits are mere liars. They became indifferent and traded abusive and accusing words to each other.

What baffled most is their consideration of political party boundaries as the only criterion for understanding of distinctive ideology of their contemporaries. Similarly, all their actions share similarities in each respect. They are self glorifying, the opportunistic tendencies could be traced in the attitudes of almost all of them. None of them safeguard the interest of the ideology but professed to be doing so with his actions depicting contrary.

The forefront in the first set of progressives in Kano were Alhaji Ammani Inuwa Mal. Mudi spikin and Alhaji Dauda Dangalan who suffer similar affliction that befell Mallam Sa’adu Zungur while they are alive and were relegated to the level of grassroot politics. They still command respect at the grassroot and are figured as “Mazan Jiya” heroes. Despite their little adjustment to suit the requirements of present political trends, they still depict a political movement to reckon with in the struggle to establish progressive ideology in Kano.

Other sets within the aforementioned categories includes; the first executive Governor of old Kano Stae Alh. Muhammad Abubakar Rimi, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, Alhaji Lili Gabari, Alhaji Musa Gwadabe, Zubairu Abduhamid Danbatta and other contemporaries. Unlike Rimi who made analysts to believe that he is now devoid of any ideological inclination due to his incessant change of political associations. Others in the above category were able to maintain certain political traits and affiliations. Although, that does not make them free from being progressive ideological sell outs.

The fact that Kano politics has been modeled does not mean that all these category of politicians have contributed in this glaring position attained by kano State. The greatest contribution recorded was ascertained basically through the rigorous ideological teachings and discipline derived directly or indirectly from the celebrated nationalist, literary and political icon Mal. Sa’adu Zungur and the socio-political reforms institutionalized by Mallam Aminu Kano. The teachings of Mallam Aminu Kano made the people of Kano to understand and stand firm on their rights and further revolts to whoever trampled on such rights, with quite regards to ones social responsibilities. And this was the bedrock of political understanding of an average person in Kano.

Quite often, people seeking elective positions in Kano use this ideology to seduce the peoples’ acceptance and love. They potray themselves as either members of the defunct NEPU or PRP if they happened to be olden days politicians and for the new breeds they hide under the pretence of following the ideological path of the defunct parties to gain popularity and acceptance. However, many of such elements ended up disappointing their electorates. Readers may ask why such betrayals? I believe it must have emanated from the discrepancies existed between the personalities and characters of the elected officers, and the borrowed ideology that has never been accepted whole heartedly by the politicians nor even digested to serve as political manifesto of the elected officers.

Perhaps, these problems could be ranked parri passu with the failures of elected politicians of our contemporary like the former speaker of the National Assembly Alhaji Ghali Na’abba former Executive Governor of Kano State Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and their likes in various positions both in the state and at national levels. These politicians enjoyed the goodwill of the progressive movements in Kano and were accorded all necessary backings to succeed in their individual bids based on peoples’ perception of their progressive political ideology. But they ended up betraying the confidence repose in them by their electorates, through manifestations of strange ideology that were not known to be identified with before they were elected.

Individuals as well as collective positive assessment of leadership and development normally predicts the desirable leadership pattern that will be accommodated by the ever business-driven society of Kano. The people seem to be tired of the deceptions of fake ideological based campaigns. The atmosphere of political convictions was first shifted to religion and whims of God by the campaign team of former executive Governor of Kano State Alhaji Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya who was able to assume the mantle of leadership of the State through his identification with God’s wishes. “Insha Allah” was his slogan even though he left the State House with no single project to be remembered with. He was able to project and perfect an alternative solution to progressive sellouts.

On the contrary, the present government of Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau was able to gain wide acclamation and popularity against its predecessor Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankaso despite the incumbency factor as well as his party the P.D.P controls the federal government. Religious was the backbone of the trend in the campaign. It meted with desire and yearnings of the people of Kano towards a change of direction from progressive sell outs to Shariah state. Where in the perception of average Kano person is that his own welfare will be perfectly guaranteed. The confidence of Kano people has never been won by any political actor in the like manner won by Mallam Shekarau, for his ability to maintain humility and humbleness under religious pretence.

As it were, the tradition of the people of Kano, the assessment started with the inception of Mallam Shekarau’s administration. And at the end of the first constitutional stipulated for 4 year term in 2007. The people of Kano revolted vehemently with disenchantment over his second term bid. But for the imposition of candidacy of Alhaji Ahmad Garba Bichi by the heavy weight power of the PDP Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the tactful skimmed imposition of Alhaji Usman Sule Riruwai by the Kwankwaso’s AC like fox, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi. The Kano people were made to consume voting apathy that made them to honourably shy themselves away from voting. And this was confirmed with comparison on the overall results of the 2003 and 2007 gubernatorial elections. Where in 2003 over three million people were said to have participated in comparison with 2007 result where the participation recorded was below two million voters in the elections.

With the above analysis of how the progressives that cannot beat them, were seen to have joined them, one could easily derived a question on what will be the consequence of their individual actions on the socio-political and economic development in Kano? Are the youth and other emerging politicians going to stand and watch the few destroying the legacy of their envied political fathers? Certainly the answer will be a capital no to all critical analytical minds like mine. Then what is the remedy? For a nonentity member of the society like me that only believed in the mighty power of the pen, I could boast of craving awareness especially among the youth that are normally susceptible to being made tools in the hands of these power drunk politicians that often use them and dump them.

A time has come that each and every conscious mind will review the situation at hand, think about the repercussion and proffer solution to the identified problems. Based on individual ability, each individual could base his contribution the way and manner he could sustain it. But the focal point should be aiming at providing solution to the broad malaise afflicted on the politics of Kano State by the so called progressives, and by the way, where are the progressives?

AHMAD SALISU 

08033181723

Robot  # 1 | 26.11.2008 00:37

History will forever remember people like Mallam Sa’adu Zungur the literary icon and politician that begets the simple progressive style of politics well known and associated with the people of Kano. The dynamic Kano political structure that is today seen and regarded as admiring model well over the country and beyond owed its manifestations under the tutelage of this great politician and teacher. Many believed that the sophistication of Kano politics and some politicians is beyond ordinary. Yes, but the truth of the matter is that most of Kano heavy weight politicians are bye and large disciples either directly or indirectly of this political guru, or must have tasted the fruits of his discipline and teachings through an intermediary. Mallam Aminu kano of blessed memory was also a disciple of Mallam Sa’adu Zungur. Although histories accorded him unfair treatment that relegated him to a position of a poet with only Triumph Publishing Company...Read the full article.