Nigeria: Kano And 2011 Election - Shekarau Record And ANPP
6 November 2009
By
Saka Raji Audu
According to Napoleon, the last trick of a devil is to
pretend to be dead. This statement is applicable to
some known traducers of Shekarau administration that
have deliberately refused to appreciate the ongoing
radical transformation in Kano state. Some of these
sadists are outside Kano and have never been to the
state to acquaint themselves with the various
achievements of the government since it was popularly
voted to power in 2003 and 2007. Even the few rabble
rousers that live in Kano have not been able to come
into terms with their conscience by accepting the
undisputable fact that indeed the Shekarau led ANPP
administration has creditably performed.
Consequently, the foes cannot in all honesty deny the
undisputable fact of Shekarau's enviable records,
which when compared to their time; the difference will
be so much overwhelming. At the beginning, they
claimed that Shekarau could not smell Government House
because he was a poor teacher. To their bewilderment,
Shekarau proudly won. Later, they blindly argued that
Shekarau would not win the second term election
because it was a taboo in their strange belief that
Kano does not produce two term governor. In order to
actualize this belief at all costs, Shekarau's
traducers employed all sorts of funny and dubious
tactics such as blackmails, malicious publications and
political mischievousness to achieve their vaulting
but treacherous desire.
The power of the so called biggest political party in
Africa was drafted to descend heavily against
Shekarau's second term governorship like using a
sledge harmer to kill a mosquito. In spite of this
various voodoo attempts by opposition in the state and
other pockets of mechanism of conspiracies outside the
state, Shekarau was able to rise, shine, come out
unscathed and emerged stronger than ever before.
Today, Shekarau is almost completing his third of four
years second term in office. Those that are aware of
the political terrain of Kano know pretty well that it
takes hard work, sincerity of purpose, prayers and
solid achievements for Shekarau and his ANPP
administration to achieve these unsurpassed noble
feats in Kano. For those that want to know and see the
truth should go to Kano and see the changing face of
the state under the miracle of a man that is so
desirous in making life good for his people. Even
prominent oppositions and social critics could not
hide their feelings but to say the truth as they have
seen it in Kano under Shekarau administration.
The ongoing beautiful road networks, the rural
electrification of villages, the distribution of
transformers, the social reforms, the increase in the
children school enrolment, the transformation of the
business outfits, the hospitality of visitors in the
state, the drastic reduction in the number of
Almajirais through Tsangaya project, the restoration
of the dignity and respect for the traditional rulers,
which hitherto, were completely neglected, the
reinstatement of medical personnel, science-based
teachers and civil servants that were hitherto sacked
based on their origin, etc are all what makes Shekarau
administration solid and assuring.
It is therefore, not surprising that the likes of
Professor Wole Soyinka, Chief Odimegwu Ojukwu,
Professor Dora Akunyili, Chief Ayinloola of the ICPC,
Prince Abubakar Audu of Kogi State, Chief Ume-Ezeoke,
the NUJ, the NBA and host of others have transparently
spoken well and genuinely appreciated the good works
of Governor Shekarau in Kano State. The tremendous
influx of people into Kano on daily basis, and staying
peacefully to do their lawful businesses speaks in
volumes of how Shekarau government has won the hearts
of people.
At a time, the PDP zonal Chairman of North-west had
wished that Shekarau was in PDP so that his political
party can claim responsibility of Shekarau's enviable
outstanding performances. Still, the National Chairman
of PDP, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor has also in recent
time confirmed to the world that his party is envious
of Kano under the Shekarau led ANPP administration.
Ogbulafor therefore, vowed to do whatever it is
possible, including not limited to financial
inducement to claim Kano and her wonderful dividends
of democracy in 2011 election. The good people of Kano
are however now conscious of this plan and would be on
guard to jealously and religiously guide their votes
when the D-day comes.
In spite of all these, nobody is saying that Shekarau
has recorded hundred per cent in every ramification,
as no one but God is infallible. Still, the fact
remains that considering the socio-economic and
political transformation recorded from May 29, 2003
to-date by the God-fearing Governor Shekarau, he
really deserves the supports and commendations that he
has been receiving from the good people of Kano and
other Nigerians across the world.
It is however normal for oppositions in the state that
are fully aware and have been recipients of Shekarau's
good governance in Kano State to also dream of wearing
the same crown. In order to go about this dream, the
opposition wants to pretend to the people that
Shekarau 'has not done any thing' by using falsehood
and other political manipulations. As I said, the
people of Kano are more than ever ready to jealously
and religiously guide their votes to avoid any act of
political robbery and vote snatching when the 2011
election comes. The people are not unmindful of the
fact that a man who wants enjoyment but does not work
hard is susceptible to stealing and manipulation. They
also know that if the Shekarau led ANPP government had
not continued for her second term, the level of
achievements and consolidations made so far would not
have been possible.
We have heard from the horse's mouth of the main
opposition in the state. It appears that there would
be no respect for superior argument as 2011 beckons.
This is why the plan to take over Kano and Lagos at
all costs is now being nurtured as early as two years
to the general election time. Perhaps, the earlier
announcement of such dubious plan would mark the
beginning of the end of the biggest political party in
Africa.
Nigerians all over the globe are certain that Kano and
Lagos are no-go-areas for PDP and any funny attempt
tot the contrary would be vehemently resisted by the
people. Ogbulafor and his party know too that all is
getting over with the biggest political party in
Africa, in view of the various calamities trailing it
in the country today. This is why our big brothers had
no option but to adopt the method of psychological
warfare in order to assume that all is well through
the use of self defeatist noise makings. The people
of Kano in particular have decided to stay peacefully
with their hard working governor Ibrahim Shekarau,
come sunshine, rain and thunder. This is because they
know that any contrary decision would mean a repeat of
the ugly past before the present administration
assumed leadership of the state.
At this juncture, it is axiomatic to still advise PDP
to have a rethink of claiming Kano and Lagos and
perhaps, consecrate her time, energy and questionable
financial resources for the bailing of her prominent
figures who are now serving various jail terms for
defrauding Nigerians at the tune of N85 billion. This
amount alone would have been enough to generate stable
water supply for the country. It would have been
enough to revive our dead and ailing textile
industries that have thrown out millions of people
into already saturated labour markets. It would have
been enough for road rehabilitation and to turn around
our refineries for efficiency and productivity. Rather
than feeling ashamed of these horrendous and atrocious
calamities, PDP is dreaming to take over Kano and
Lagos in 2011, as a 'reward' of her financial rip-off,
inefficiency, poor showing and mismanagement of the
country's human and material resources for the past
ten years. This should be her last trick and
therefore, she should pretend to be dead because, I do
not think there would still be a breathing space for
big barawos, ndi oshi, oles and oyi of oyis
and all those nonsense practices that have dragged our
country's integrity in the mud.
Nigerians should be wary of these. They should not
fail to rise up to the challenges through the use of
their powerful votes as against the useless slogan of
"Peedeepee: poverty to the people."
Saka Raji Audu writes from Kano and can be reached on
his email:
sakaraj@yahoo.com
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