Date Published: 06/02/09
Governor Shekarau and 2011
By Zayyad I. Muhammad
The Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau was recently in the news- speculations in the political circles that the series of advertorials in some national newspapers some few weeks ago, calling on him to go for the presidency in the 2011 general elections, were part of the secret maneuvers by the Governor to clear his way to contest for Nigeria’s presidency in 2011 under the banner of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). Though Governor Shekarau, through his spokesman, Mallam Ya’u Sule Ya’u, has dissociated himself from those making the calls, but the dusts generated by the calls are yet to settle.
In order to satisfy curiosity about the political undertones associated with such a call, this writer attempted to explore the prospect of Shekarau’s purported presidential ambition if there is one, through the interesting, but complex politics, development and people of Kano- the most populous State in Nigeria and the commercial centre of northern Nigeria. This is because, if any Governor intends to contest for the presidency not only that of Nigeria but any country, his or her performance in his state will be the benchmark to measure his or her competence to steer the affairs of an entire country. Mallam Shekarau is in his sixth year as Governor of Kano state; six years are good enough to assess a Governor’s capacity for a higher job, especially a Governor of a big and complex state like Kano.
Political analysts belief that, Nigerians, whether politicians or not, have it in their minds that to challenge an incumbent; particularly one who occupies the powerful office of the President of Nigeria, in the present day Nigerian political environment, requires audacity, strong financial muscles, extraordinary political skills and above all, access to the machinery of the state; which seems unattainable.
If the speculations that Governor Shekarau is gearing-up to contest against the incumbent President of Nigeria in the 2011 presidential elections, as he did in 2003 against the incumbent Governor of Kano, was true, one of three factors must have influenced him to take that dicey decision.
The first factor is that Shekarau wants to follow suit what his former colleagues did- former Governors- Peter Odili, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Attahiru Bafarawa and Orji Uzor Kalu, after serving the two terms as Governors in their various states, they showed interest in contesting the 2007 presidential election. That, their political adventures were merely political-shows and an unnecessary waste of political energy and resources; the cake is not worth the candle. Political pundits are of the opinion that; Gov. Shekarau is clever enough not to be carried away by such ego and the passion for fruitless political show.
The second factor is, Shekarau’s overzealous supporters, were carried-away by his performance as Governor of Kano, so they are trying to ‘force his hand’. Well, if that is true, nobody would blame them! This is Nigeria, where the political environment requires much shouting even if there is no need of it. But the question that most people outside Kano are asking is, has Gov. Shekarau performed well for the six years he has been steering the affairs of Kano state to warrant such a call for him to contest the presidency of Nigeria? Shekarau’s supporters have strong self-confidence in his performance; they are of the view that the six years of his administration has changed Kano with economic and social transformations based on good governance and broad consensus, most especially in terms of considering the voices of the poorest and the most vulnerable in decision-making over the allocation of development resources.
However, one must note that, in Nigeria, supporters of politicians, sometimes to go extra-mile to sell their candidate’s political fortunes in order to influence public opinion. Though, this writer commend Gov. Shekarau’s strives in the area of girl child education- Kano today can boost of the highest girl child enrolments in schools in the north. And also Shekarau has done well in the area urban city development especially in roads development- the r econstruction and expansion of State Road, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Murtala Mohammed Way, Ado Bayero Road, Muhammadu Abdullahi Wase Road, Kofar Kabuga Road, France Road , Zoo Road, Sarkin Yaki Road and Kantin Kwari Road, are signs of good work.
The third factor that may be responsible for the speculations that Shekarau is perfecting to contest the 2011 presidential election, may be Shekarau’s opponents want to play fast on him - create hard feelings between him and those that want to contest the presidency in 2011, especially under the banner of the ANPP, or create much political distractions within his political camp so that his opponents may have much space when it comes to Kano politics.
The truth is, any of the aforementioned three factors may have been responsible for the speculations that Governor Shekarau is perfecting to contest the 2011 presidential, but the interesting thing is; only the Almighty God and Shekarau know which one is. However, sooner or later, the truth would bubble to the surface.
Shekarau’s opponents, supporters and those sitting on the fence should have it in their minds that Shekarau has the constitutional right to contest any elective office in Nigeria, apart from the governorship position of Kano of which he is serving his second term now, but the best he can is to concentrate on continuing delivering good governance to the good people of Kano. This is very important for his political future, because Gov. Shekarau came to power on the ladder of public disgust of leadership inaptitude, corruption and self-centeredness. Gov. Shekarau’s elections and re-election were Talakawa’s endorsement of the ideals of simplicity and good governance- which are the principles of Mallam Aminu Kano.
Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980
