Political Quake As Mai Gonaki Walks Away from Barau Jibrin
By the Newsroom
KANO — Hon. Khadija Lawan Rabi’u, popularly known as Mai Gonaki, has resigned from her position as Special Assistant to the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin.
Her resignation marks a fresh twist in the shifting political alignments in Kano.
Before joining Senator Barau’s camp in 2024, Khadija Lawan Rabi’u had been associated with the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
In recent weeks, she has appeared closer to the camp of Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, fueling speculation about another shift in Kano’s evolving political landscape.
Mai Gonaki confirmed her decision in a statement to a local media platform, Arewa Updates, saying the move followed what she described as unfulfilled promises made to her by the senator.
Khadija Lawan Rabi’u said the expectations she had when she accepted the appointment were not met.
“I decided to step aside because the promises made to me and my supporters were not fulfilled,” she said.
Khadija Lawan Rabi’u explained that the lack of support made it difficult for her to continue mobilizing her followers under the arrangement.
She also alleged that even the salary attached to the Special Assistant position was irregular. “Sometimes months pass without payment,” she claimed, adding that the situation left her unable to meet the expectations of those who backed her politically.
Mai Gonaki further stated that she had made several attempts to resolve the issues privately but those efforts did not produce results.
“I tried many times to reach an understanding, but it did not work,” she said.
She noted that people often assumed she benefited financially from her association with the senator whenever she traveled to Abuja.
However, she insisted that she had not received the level of support many believed she was getting.
The grassroot mobilizer also advised supporters of the senator to reflect on their political future.
“My advice to supporters is to carefully consider their path and what lies ahead,” she said.