Kano APC’s Consolidation : As FG Appointments Reign, NW Development Commission Still in Limbo
By Abba Anwar
Since the exit of the former National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON, from party headquarters, observers and passrers-by have been advancing arguments, as to the fate of the party, at least in his state, Kano.
While some of the arguments were (are) genuine and honestly advanced, many other arguments were (are) mere empty threats to the ruling APC and the Presidency specifically. In-between the two moulded opinions or positions, there exists a thin line of clear understanding and distorted comprehension of the entire process.
Either President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, or other well positioned strategists around him begin to understand the critical issue at hand. Hence, their attention has now been directed to the dicey political state, Kano. Whoever is responsible for the recent appointments coming to Kano, the thinking is not only strategic and commendable, it is a life saving achievement for the party in the state.
Whether the appointments are made to wrestle down any perceived threat from Ganduje’s exit – which I doubt very much, because such threat doesn’t exist – or not, the fact remains, Kano is so dear to Mr President. Therefore its control as an APC stronghold should be maintained. That’s all.
Kano’s strategic position in national politics and its domineering effect in North West zone, are realities that cannot be discarded just like that. One good thing about recent appointments of Kano citizens in federal government positions, is that, the appointees are people with grassroots support. They have home-based relevance and influence. All of them. Either in their political space or in their professional calling, like Barrister Sunusi Musa, SAN.
Come to think of the former Chairman of Ungogo local government, Eng Abdullahi Garba Ramat, who is now appointed as the Chairman /CEO, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and Hon Hafizu Kawu, former Member House of Representatives, from Tarauni federal constituency, who is now appointed as an Executive Commissioner, Pension Commission (PENCOM), representing North West.
Others are Hon Nasiru Bala Aminu Ja’oji, Member of Governing Council of Federal College of Education (Technical), Potiskum and now Senior Special Assistant to the President, on Citizenship and Leadership and Ummusalama Isyaka Rabi’u, appointed as Executive Commissioner (Corporate Services), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
As part of the recent appointments from Kano are Barrister Sunusi Musa SAN, who has been appointed as Chairman Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution and Hon Yahuza, who has recently been appointed as Chairman, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON).
There is nothing wrong in tilting many of the recent appointments to Kano Central constituency, being the most dangerous zone for APC’s victory in the state, which to me, is strategic.
“Ogas” at the top should have this at the back of their minds that, there are other people, genuine people, whose appointment could double the chances of the party in the forthcoming elections. There is no doubt about this. But such people are benched. That will not auger well for overcoming future challenges.
Agreed APC is resurfacing back on stage in Kano, we still have eye-ball-to-eye-ball contact with some gaps. Yes Tinubu cannot give appointments to all those who matter in Kano APC, but as some groups and individuals started agitations against those with appointments, especially from the time when Dr Ganduje was National Chairman, I think Presidency should start looking inward.
Before the recent appointments from the Presidential Villa, we have good hands like Hon Baffa Babba Dan Agundi, Director General, National Productivity Centre, we have Hon Musa Iliasu Kwankwaso, Executive Director, Finance, Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority among few others.
As appointments are raining in Kano, “Ogas” at the top tend to forget about the kind of support the party can get from North West zone if the already established North West Development Commission begins operation.
In this regard, we must commend and appreciate the greater part of the role played by the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin in making sure that all the necessary legislative efforts were put. With the needed follow – ups that led to the assent of the President, as the Commission was fully established, for a year now. But its operational engagement still remains a mirage.
For delaying the full take-off of the Commission, I don’t blame federal government or Presidency, to be more specific. I always fault the non-challant attitudes of our governors, from North West, not minding their party affiliation, our traditional institutions, our elders from North West, our federal civil servants, our religious leaders, our business community and our organized civil society groups.
Our legislators did their best, with DSP Barau as the main element who spearheaded the struggle. May Allah see them through in all their political careers. Kudos to our legislators from the zone.
President Tinubu may not necessarily be briefed with correct information, as to why our North West Commission is still gasping in slumber. He has many more responsibilities in his shoulder. Left to him, the Commission is working since then. It could be possible and not strange.
Our governors deliberately ignore to employ lobbying strategy to intimate Mr President about this unnecessary delay. When I say our governors, I mean from all the political parties, APC, PDP and NNPP.
But it is more pathetic that APC governors are involved. One may not wonder when PDP and NNPP governors turn blind eye on this all-important Commission. They may not want it to be working, up and doing. Because that would send danger to the chances of their parties in the zone come 2027.
So what could be the reason for APC governors’ disenchanted involvement in this lobby for development? They know that, when the Commission takes – off successfully, many projects in the zone will be executed by this new arrangement. And they (governors) will get surplus to put in other well meaning projects. Is this not development?
Our people should stop blaming President Tinubu that he lacks commitment and political will for the development of our region. While it is our own people who lack the needed patriotism to push for our development.
Senator Jibrin, the Deputy Senate President turns out to be, in recent political development, the most patriotic and committed legislator of Northern extraction, whose love for his people, – he goes beyond his constituency and state – is clearly spotted and gets support from the grassroot as reciprocity. He definitely proved his mettle when he stood up and saw the smooth passage of the then Bill for the establishment of the Commission. He worked tirelessly and relentlessly up to Presidential assent.
Not only governors, I listed some fundamental elements and groups that are only playing “siddon-look” (to borrow a leaf from late Chief Bola Ige’s lexicon) as their role. It is better we wake up from slumber.
Our zone is suffering from insecurity. I believe this Commission can go a long way in addressing some fundamental factors fuelling the atmosphere. All hands must therefore be on deck to see to the proper take – off of the Commission.
For now, we only know the Commission is established when we see them paying visits to governors, would – be-contractors, traditional rulers and other stakeholders. Such visits too, nosedived into ditches. Please Mr President come to the rescue of your people, up North.
Whatever could be the reason for delaying the take-off of the Commission, I think it will be a plus for Mr President to intervene and clear away dust. Not minding whose oxe is gored. As we are approaching general elections, the activities of this Commission can help clear many doubts and concocted lies against the ruling APC and Presidency.
Anwar writes from Kano state
Thursday, 14th August, 2025