What Abba is trying to do worse than what Rimi did to Aminu Kano – Senator Hanga

Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga is the senator representing Kano Central in the 10th Senate. He is a former member of the House of Representatives and a two-term senator, currently serving as the Deputy Minority Whip under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Senator Hanga speaks about the alleged plan by the Kano State governor to defect to the APC.

The politics of Kano has been replete with disagreements between godfathers and godsons, from what happened between Rimi and Malam Aminu Kano in the Second Republic, to Rimi and Magaji Abdullahi in the Third Republic, to Kwankwaso and Ganduje, and now what appears to be a disagreement between Kwankwaso and Governor Yusuf. What do you think is responsible for this?

These kinds of disagreements have occurred in other places, but for several years ago it has taken a centre space in our political records, and as you rightly said, it happened during the Malam Aminu Kano and Rimi era. It happened with Ganduje and Kwankwaso, and it looks like it is happening again now. The only thing I will say is that there are a lot of people outside the circle who take advantage of the naivety of those in power and are so keen in ensuring that such incidences continue to occur.

I can remember that during Rimi’s time, he was very naive. He came back from the Foreign Service; he was not a politician and was, in a way, accidentally drafted and anointed by Malam Aminu Kano to be a governor. However, some old politicians went around Rimi and pushed him to revolt against Malam Aminu Kano. The lesson was that Rimi was very popular, powerful, loved, and respected by the majority of Kano people. But when he carried out that betrayal, the people of Kano discarded him. The same thing happened with Ganduje. When Ganduje did it to Kwankwaso, Kwankwaso defeated him twice in Kano. The first time was when the federal government created something they called an “inconclusive” election. Everybody, and indeed the whole world, knew it was an arrangement; it was not true.

It was clear that Kwankwaso won the election then but they did what they did. The second time, they also tried, but unfortunately for them, God saved the situation and the Supreme Court affirmed Abba Kabir Yusuf as the duly elected governor of Kano state. It is apparent that Kwankwaso and Abba have been together for 40 years. Kwankwaso adopted Abba from nowhere while they were both staff of WRECA in Kano. Kwankwaso was then a senior engineer, while Abba had just finished school. He adopted him as his godson and nurtured him to what he is today.

When Kwankwaso became governor, he brought Abba in as his personal assistant, and from PA he moved to Special Adviser (SA). Similarly, when Kwankwaso returned as Kano State governor for his second tenure, he appointed Abba as Commissioner for Works, since Abba is an engineer. They worked together. In fact, Abba is married to Kwankwaso’s niece.

Unfortunately, what Abba is trying to do is worse than what Rimi did to Malam Aminu Kano, and much worse than what Ganduje did to Kwankwaso. Kwankwaso and Ganduje met when they were both adults, grown and established. The bottom line is that Abba has been with Kwankwaso all his life, for more than 40 years.

As an insider, can you tell us how the whole thing started?

You see, from the look of things, one would think that either Abba has always had a natural hatred for Kwankwaso, or he is under one pressure or another. It is in the open that there were speculations about his son, a young man who allegedly went on a rampage buying properties here and there, and that his action attracted the searchlight of the EFCC. Speculation has it that the young man had to be rescued by the Katsina State Governor to put the issue at a distance from further actions.

There is also the reported case involving Abba’s protocol officer before the EFCC, allegedly involving a multi-billion naira and dollar scam. We have also heard that his spokesman was allegedly involved in a similar situation, and these cases are said to be issues linked to the governor’s defection plan.

So my belief is that Abba may be under serious threat that if he does not give in, he will have to answer questions and face the unknown possibilities. That may be why he is blinded. Otherwise, a rational person would never think of leaving his party, his people, and those who have worked for him for years. There must be pressure from somewhere, and those pressures are surely pressing hard.

If Governor Yusuf defects to the APC, it would be the third time Kwankwaso would lose a prized protégé and credible personalities, having lost Ganduje, Abdulmumin Jibrin, and now Yusuf. Where do you think the problem lies?

You cannot do this kind of thing and still be credible in the eyes of the people. A credible person is responsible and honourable. I doubt if Abba will leave. If he leaves, it will be unfortunate, and you cannot call him credible. That is why I warned him.

When journalists asked me whether he was defecting, I said those advising him to go are his enemies. In fact I told him that he should punish anyone telling him to leave the party for the APC. The APC fought us on two occasions and has continued fighting us. I doubt if the APC will even allow Abba to contest.

Even if the APC dares to say, “Abba, go and contest,” I doubt they will support him. How can you build a house, struggle for it, furnish it, live in it, and then allow someone to come and throw you out? You will fight tooth and nail to defend your house and yourself.

That is what they are trying to do. I cannot imagine someone in his right senses thinking he can throw everybody out and then stay comfortably. It is impossible.

People see Kano political leaders as independent-minded and uncompromising. Could that be part of the problem?

That is why I said there must be some evil forces behind this. Some people want an opening, and unfortunately, that is when I began to see his naivety.

How can you allow someone to ask you to ditch all of us—your people, your leader, everybody? Definitely something is wrong somewhere. Even during the “Abba Tsaya da Kafarka” episode, I went to him and warned him. I told him his enemies were against him and that he should be careful not to succumb to their pressure. I advised him not to allow anyone push him against his leader or those who had come a long way with him.

Later, he disowned those people. Some of them told me this man was evil. They claimed the governor recruited them to do it and later disowned them.

I asked how someone could recruit you to betray your people, your boss, and your godfather, someone who had chosen Abba over everybody else. Many people left Kwankwaso because of Abba’s anointment, including friends and associates who had been with him from primary school. They supported Abba’s government with all their strength.

Many commissioners and executive members were against Abba’s anointment and left Kwankwaso because of it. But Kwankwaso dared them all and told them to do whatever they wanted. The process of anointing Abba was very clear. Many of them contested, and Kwankwaso told them they were all his people and that they should present one person to lead them. Unfortunately, they could not agree. Abba was not even part of the contest. Eventually, they asked Kwankwaso to give them anybody, and that was how the names of Abba and Comrade emerged, even though they were not contestants. Kwankwaso stood his ground and said the decision was final since it was done with their agreement.

Some say this might be a ploy by Kwankwaso to allow Governor Yusuf take over the APC structure. Could that be the case?

No, I do not think so. People say this because of what had happened during Kwankwaso’s time in the PDP. The situation is entirely different. During the PDP era, they antagonised him and refused to allow him any control, so he left. But as a polished politician, he showed them his strength.

We brought in the NNPP, and that is how we dealt with them. That is why the PDP got only about 15,000 votes in Kano. People think the scenario is the same, but it is not.

Do you see Governor Yusuf surviving in the APC without Kwankwaso, his political backbone?

No, he cannot. The people of Kano are behind Kwankwaso, and nobody can divide our votes. In fact, this situation is making Kano people even more determined. Abba has not defected yet, but looks at the reactions on social media, on the streets, everywhere.

If he eventually defects, the backlash and support for Kwankwaso will be 100 times more. He may only survive until the end of his tenure. By God’s grace, this APC tenure will be its last here, and another party will take over. That will be the end of Abba and those who collected money to follow him.

What would be your advice to both Kwankwaso and Yusuf at this time because some analysts say if they don’t tread carefully, they stand the chance of losing out?

To Abba, I say, “Come back; we are one family.” And to our leader, I say, “Oga, you have been very patient.” Whoever leaves you and later comes back to apologise, you always accept. If Abba comes back and apologises, please accept him so we can move forward.

With what is happening, do you think Ganduje will accept Abba if he defects to APC?

Ganduje is not accepting Abba; he is digging a grave for him. He is not saying, “Welcome.” Abba will only realise this when it is too late. That is why I am advising him. When a limb is rotting, you look for a remedy; you do not cut it off immediately. We want Abba to back out, apologise, and we will forgive him.

People like Barau Jibrin have invested heavily in securing the APC governorship ticket. If Yusuf joins the party, how will that be resolved?

Only God knows. It could be Barau, it could be Abba, or it could be a dark horse. Barau has tried and has done well, but nobody knows what tomorrow holds. Anything can happen. That is the situation. Barau is a good person and has done well.

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