The proposed visit of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso to Kano on January 30 for campaign ahead of the forthcoming council poll is generating tensions owing to unending bitter rivalry with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje for political supremacy, reports Sunday Oguntola
FEARS of political violence have gripped Kano ahead of next Tuesday’s scheduled visit of former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso to the political headquarters of northern Nigeria.
Kwankwaso, who represents Kano Central in the Senate, has been in a longstanding political face-off with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who was his deputy for eight years.
The charismatic politician handed over the governorship seat to Ganduje in 2015, becoming one of the few incumbents to entrust power to their deputies in the nation’s political history.
Despite the smooth transition and camaraderie that existed between the duo, the centre has refused to hold since Ganduje assumed office.
The governor, according to insiders, believes Kwankwaso was forced to concede the governorship ticket to him at the last minute despite his loyalty of many years.
His fight back strategies have seen him remove all aides and appointees of his predecessor from offices as the supremacy battle between them escalated.
Ganduje has also seized control of the All Progressive Congress (APC) structure from Kwankwaso, replacing Kano APC chairman, Alhaji Umar Doguwa, a loyalist of his former boss, with Engineer Bashir Karaye, one of his men.
The founder of Kwankwasiyya movement however remains hugely popular with massive grassroots support in the state, a development the Ganduje’s camp is never comfortable with.
His scheduled visit to Kano, only the second since he left office, is creating apprehension among stakeholders concerned about the possible outbreak of political violence.
This is because Kwankwasiyya and Gandujiyya supporters have a history of always attacking themselves during public events and outings. The attacks and counter attacks were normally in continuation of the cold war between their political principals and mentors.
History of political clashes
Last September, the two camps clashed at the traditional Hawan Daushe in Kano Emirate Palace, leaving a former Secretary to Kano State Government, Rabiu Suleiman Bichi and younger brother to Kwankwaso, Sani Kwankwaso, among others seriously wounded.
It was learnt the crisis started when members of Kwankwasiyya arrived the venue in their traditional red cap insignia, a development that provoked attacks from the other camp. Dangerous weapons were freely used, leading to disturbance of public peace.
The media aide to Kwankwaso, Hajia Binta Spikin, alleged members of Kwankwasiyya were pushed back by policemen at the event after tear gas canisters were fired at them.
“We just saw people hitting us with cutlasses, heavy sticks and other dangerous weapons. Then I fell down and my eyeglasses broke.
“Somebody from his behind hit the former SSG, Bichi, with a cutlass and another moved forward to stab him but Kwankwaso’s younger brother used his hands to block it and they nearly cut his hands,” she alleged.
But Commissioner of Information, Mohammad Garba, debunked allegations the governor was behind the attack, saying he was away from the state when the incident happened.
Garba claimed the event held peacefully after arrival of the governor who was earlier in Daura, Katsina State to pay Sallah homage to President Muhammadu Buhari.
On January 14, there was another clash between both movements that left not less than six members injured. According to reports, the incident occurred around 11 am at Chiranchi quarters in Gwale Local Government Area of the state when the supporters attended two separate wedding Fatiha.
“The Kwankwasiyya followers attended one and their counterpart of Gandujiyya attended another wedding ceremony. The one attended by members of Kwankwasiyya was contracted first. So, while they were leaving the area, they ran into the Gandujiyya group who were contracting another marriage,” the source said, an eyewitness recalled.
A younger brother of the Commissioner of Special Duties, Abdullahi Abbas, and many others were among the injured after the clash.
Stoking the fires
There are fears that the same scenario could play out when Kwankwaso returns to Kano on January 30. A video clip by Commissioner of Special Duties, Abdullahi Sunusi, telling supporters to stone Kwankwaso has further exacerbated the apprehensions.
Speaking in Hausa, Sunusi tagged Kwankwaso the “political Satan of Kano.” He said: “From today, the whistle of politics is blown on our in-house opposition. We met in Minjibir and dealt with them; we met outside the emir’s palace during the Sallah celebration.
“Now their leader is coming and we will receive him at Kwanar Dangora or at Dakatsalle, you may be aware after the holy pilgrimage performed by Muslims is the symbolic stoning of Satan.
“So you all should await official announcement of the day you will all be directed to stone the political Satan of Kano. We are not afraid of anybody; we will even take the battle to his room. Finally, my counterparts, let’s work to destroy Kwankwaso, as you all know he is afraid of us.”
The video that went viral has raised fears both camps could be baying for blood on January 30. This is more so because they will be holding parallel rallies for the February 10 council polls. There had been reports Kwankwaso had called off the proposed visit to avert bloodshed. He was said to have alleged to the proposal to call off the visit after an interventionist meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Who blinks first?
But his camp has insisted nothing will stop the Senator from visiting and campaigning for his preferred local government candidates. There are insinuations that he could be sponsoring candidates in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of his reported defection to the party that bought him to power in the first term.
Kwankwaso’s media aide, Spikin maintained: “Despite the purported rumours by the Ganduje-led faction of the APC, Kwankwaso will come to Kano on January 30 to help his people, especially those who are contesting in the forthcoming local government election in their campaign activities.
“We are very much aware of the rumours going round that our leader will not come to Kano. The Ganduje’s people are circulating the rumours but I can assure you that this will not stop our leader from coming to Kano on the slated date.”
Police security advice
Bothered by the palpable tensions, Commissioner of Police Rabiu Yusuf, last Friday advised Kwankwaso to shelve the proposed visit in the interest of peace.
He said it was advisable the former governor returns another day when “tension has died down.”
The Police chief said any attempt to break down law and order will be dealt with decisively.
But an infuriated Kwankwaso balked at the advice, stating nobody can stop him from visiting the state.
Speaking through his media aide, Kwankwaso said he would proceed with the visit, saying he would even be there with “seven camera drones”, three international media outfits and ”a host of other top national and international friends of his.”
The visit, he said, is well-planned to guarantee peace.
According to him: “We are coming to visit friends, families and other relatives that for a long time, we have not seen.
“We have coordinated this visit with seven camera drones and other apparatus that would make it a hitch free home coming.”
On the same date, Ganduje’s camp will present flags to APC candidates at Kwanar Dangora along Kano- Abuja road. With the political tension in the State as well as the council poll seen as the test of grassroots popularity; it is almost impossible to imagine there would be no untoward incidents.
Indications emerged last week that both camp movements are taking the rallies seriously, spoiling to outdo each other in mobilisation and attraction of crowds. Insiders who spoke with our correspondent said they were leaving nothing to chances.
“This is a public popularity test. Whoever attracts more crowd will be seen to be in charge. So, we are more than prepared to emerge the victors. We will stop at nothing to mobilise and ensure nobody harasses our supporters,” a member of Kwankwasiyya confided.
A mobiliser for Gandujiyya also confirmed plans were on to make sure the movement does not lose out in supremacy battle. “We are not in power for fun. We are here to stay. We shall not allow anyone to take the shine off our patron. We are more than ready to give all it takes to establish ourselves as the confirmed leaders,” he stated.
Besides, the council poll is considered a litmus test by both camps for political relevance and control. While the Kwankwaso’s camp is desperate to assert itself as no pushovers, the governor’s supporters are eager to assert they are in power to rule.
It was learnt security forces have been put on red alert to avert possible breakdown of law and order with nothing left to chances because of the weights of the forces at play.
Kwankwaso is expected to make his way on road to Kano from Kaduna, which he has made his second home. His last movement through the route led to massive gridlocks and roadblocks by exultant supporters.
The road movement is clearly a perfect plan to reinforce his popularity in Kano, an attempt that will not sit well with Gandujiyya members.
Whatever happens, it is certain security operatives will have their hands full on Tuesday considering the two heavyweights are not willing to back down in the battle for the political soul and control of Kano.
