KANO POLITICS: The Incumbent and peril of fair-weather friends.

By Adamu Aminu, Kano.

Politics in Nigeria, particularly in Kano terrain, is a game where permanent interest is thriving, and friendship is entirely provisional.

A game where subjectivity taking the front seats and left the objective points of reasoning as the back-bencher.

And also, is a game where fair-weather political companions are gripping the strong influences than the real, die-hard loyalists.

According to the “Merriam Webster” dictionary definition of fair-weather connotation – loyal or helpful only during the time of success and happiness.

Historically, these joints-terms (fair-weather) in Kano political perspectives have been for long, stamping profound effects, worthy of detecting lessons for the discerning minds, and potential retribution for the short-sighted incumbents.

Since from the past era of Kano political god-father, emeritus, late Mallam Aminu Kano, down to the ex- governors, departed and the yet, but alive, blended with the current honorable and executive, gentleman sitting comfortably on the apex throne Dr. Khadimul Islam, fair weather and fake political friends have a long history in Nigerian settings, widely known as agents of treachery, falsified-praises, blind folding the vision of a leader from seen the truth, posing under the facade of unflinching and undivided loyalty, just to benefits from their selfish and covert motives.

And consequently, when the going got tough, they are the first in having the instinct of disappearance, faster than the lightning speed, when heydays are closed to be over, by sighting looming dangers and political eclipse ahead.

These superficial patriots, are nothing but the band-wagon of scavengers, who cut across from various walks of life, ranging from cabals, greedy-clerics, some media outfits and praise-singers, whose loyalty is fictitious and tongue-tipped, which goes nowhere far from the throat.

Imagine, it has become part and portion of this despicable disposition which have gained a firm roots in particularly, Kano political arena, those who called Mallam Aminu Kano with some “angelic” names and benefited under his popularity, they later turned out, branded him with politically derogatory phrases.

Likewise, the late governor Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi, who was admired and celebrated not only for being the most facially handsome, oratory and hard-working governor of that time, admired for his developmental projects executed in old Kano state to the extent of tagging him as “Limamin Chanji”.

But, unfortunately late Abubakar Rimi, before his demise, suffered the same fate, of being calling with so many belittling names by some of his political allies, deserted him, when his popularity reduced drastically, reaching to the extent of Rimi doesn’t have the political will to backed any candidate to won an election in state, down to the local level.

In addition, Kabiru Gaya, who is currently enjoying the national cake as Senator, was once a flamboyant Kano governor who was famously known for his signature hope assertion ” “Inshah-Allahu” had become a man pointed with unspeakable references by some of his government beneficiaries when he suffered political eclipse.

Then, ex- governor, Senator, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the red-cap ideology movement leader, who had during his two non-consecutive tenures, unleashed Kano to its potentials in terms of developmental projects.

He was even praised with many names such as “Mai Takalmin Karfe” and song lyrics of ” Sawun Giwa Badda Na Rakumi, Kwankwaso”, now as the time changes, Senator Kwankwaso with all his sternly face and roving eyes to intimidate onlookers he was branded as “Tsula” and other song lyrics dehumanizing his personality.

Even, the former governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau who is being regarded as pious, saintly and leader with immense popularity during his rule, who was even lucky to be praised under the lyrics saying ” Saraki Sai Allah, Kainuwa Dashen Allah, Rabbana Ya Dada Sardaunan Kano Muna Taya Murna”.

Unfortunately, the same tongue praised Mallam Shekarau some years back, the same mouth came back with lyrics of ‘Mallam Yaci Kudin Makamai’ and ‘ Mallam Yayi Rawa da Alkyabba’.

What does that entail? What is the alternative name deserved to call such kind of politics, apart from the dirty game of backstabbing and betrayal?

With due and humble respect, Governor Baba Ganduje, fondly called as the” Islamic Custodian” being the current executive governor of Kano state, divinely chosen among millions to head your dear state, lucky to have your projects permeates crannies of Kano state, due to your zeal and commitment, and whose name will be indelibly written among governors who served Kano with all his strength, deserving to be grateful to God for attaining such zenith in your lifetime.

Baba!!! Be wary of the those engages in mouth and eye-services, they are just mere political scavengers, their fangs widely open with dripping blood in disguise with insincere smiles in their faces.

As the proverb goes saying’ nothing last forever’ and also ‘long journey under the broiling sun brings out true companionship’.

Baba, those who are singing the popular song of ‘ Kano ta Ganduje ce’ Baba Ganduje do not carry away by fumes of power, to be hugging as true political companions.

Such singers have voiced similar sweety lyrics to your predecessors, and you glaringly knew how the journey turned out to be, when the power slipped away from the past gladiators.

Baba Ganduje!! from your predecessor you will know how the runs deep or shallow.

Only God knows what and how they will be calling you in the next three years to come after your tenure elapsed.

May God protect you from the spitting venom of fair-weather friends when the spotlight flashing the political stage would be no more at your direction.