I know nothing about campaign to separate Gov Yusuf from Kwankwaso – SSG

Secretary to the Kano State Government (SSG), Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, has opened up on a campaign instigating Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf against the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, which was linked to him being the sponsor.

The SSG openly dissociated himself from the group shortly after a closed door meeting held with the governor and leaders of the group.

Daily Trust reports that there is a brewing concern along the corridors of power in Kano as the call for alleged freedom of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from the shackles of the political arrowhead of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, heightens.

Kwankwaso, who is the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement – a political ideology that has since become an independent arm of political domain in Kano, is being accused of having undue influence on the governor.

Daily Trust reports that in the past few months,  a group has been used social media and radio stations to call on the governor to stand his feet (Abba Tsaya da Kafarka).

It was gathered that membership of the group are within the NNPP, Kwankwasiyya and a few from the opposition party.

This group has alleged that Kwankwaso has been in total control of the state since the assumption of Yusuf as he allegedly dictates projects to be done and determines who to be appointed.

But reacting to the issue while addressing journalists, on Monday, the SSG said, “Gov Yusuf is already my boss and I have since submitted myself and all my activities to him. All that he wants is what I will abide with.

“This group that I am being associated with, I have nothing to do with it and know nothing about it.

“If it were 1 to tell 10 campaign initiative everyone knows I am behind it which I have offices in all the 19 northern states but it is for the presidential campaign.”

Some pundits have said former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Kwankwaso fell apart  because Ganduje resisted being controlled.

Speaking of the development, a leading member of the group, Comrade Nura Gambo Rimingata, who had identified himself as an important member of the camp of the current Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Baffa Bichi’s erstwhile 1 to tell 10 campaign, described Kwankwaso’s interference as undemocratic.

He said, “Governor Yusuf should be allowed to manage the affairs of the state without interference as he is the one voted to power by the people. No matter who a governor might be, he has his own supporters, even though Ganduje the former governor has supporters, Governor Yusuf also has those supporting him as well.

“Governor Yusuf was voted into power by the people and dedicated political youths of the state. We can’t struggle to establish a government with all our efforts, resources and strength and allow an individual referred to as the leader to take over powers of the governor and even limit his tenure to one term.

“Our allegation is that the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and five of his disciples, have put in place a new structure and have identified who will be the governor, the deputy governor and even the SSG come 2027,” Rimingata alleged.

However, his allegation was dismissed by an aide to the governor, Alhajiji Nagoda, who condemned and accused the group of planning a stand-off with the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

“There is nobody that can come out and claim that he is calling on the state governor to stand on his feet, on whose feet he has been standing all this while? Let me tell those mobilizing them, they know us, and they know that we know them and are not afraid of anyone of them.

“We can’t suffer for eight good years struggling to come to power and after we have succeeded and have started initiating human development programs for the benefit of our members, some detractors will appear from nowhere mobilizing people to push Governor Yusuf against our leader, Kwankwaso.

“Where has this act of betrayal taken Ganduje to? Where has it taken Shekarau to when he turned his back on Buhari? Where has it taken Naja’atu to? Even Salihu Sagir Takai when he turned away, where did it take him to?” stated.

Renown political analyst and lecturer with Bayero University Kano, Professor Kamilu Sani Fagge, described the issue as resulting from lack of internal democracy in the political parties and lack of ideology.

“Political parties are not established based on any party ideology and they lack internal democracy. They are just a collection of individuals with varying views coming together to take over government.

“It is such varying views that gave birth to such internal crises they face. This usually takes place during the congresses to the time of the general elections.

“Secondly, another problem is that politics has been turned into a money making venture such that people seek political positions because of the money they anticipate to make.”