Kano State chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Alhaji (Dr) Hashim Dungurawa, speaks with KOLA OYELERE, on the claim by the former ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that people are yearning for its return to power in the state, removal of the Secretary to the State Government and some commissioners by Governor Yusuf:
THERE is much talk about the politics of Kano State in respect of the current realignment by among politicians in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria peoples Party (NNPP). How do you perceive the development, given the history of Kano politics?
Politics is just like that. It will be recalled that no condition is permanent and this notion is applicable to everything in life, however, we thank Almighty Allah that the State is identify with kind of politics by joining the number of people of notable personnalities, right from First Republic, Second Republic. and so on, just like late Malam Aminu Kano, Abubalkar Rimi, Alhaji Aminu Wali, Abba Bankin Zuwo and Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as and others that cannot be mentioned, that were still making their relevance in Nigeria’s politics and here in Kano. Take it or leave it, the re-alignment, is a tradition in politics. Whenever election is over, you will see people realigning, coming together as well bringing ideas to see how, when and what to do in order to and make things workable for them; the direction to move on politically. That movement from one party to another is normal in politics. People like to move with others they perceive to be in tandem with their kind of politics. However, the most important thing is to move with the right type of people who will be able to achieve progress in terms of political ideas.
To what extent is the APC seriously in contention for the control of Kano Politics after the 2023 elections?
Many people were surprised on how our party, the NNPP, dislodged the ruling APC, despite the Federal might. But ,what I can tell you is that in life or politics, determination, hard work, efforts and courage lead to success. We, as members of the Kwankwasiyya’ s group, the political movement of out mentor- Alhaji (Dr) Kwankwaso, we were determined and working tirelessly to make sure that the people that gave us their mandate do not suffer. We would continue to satisfy their yearnings and aspirations, when it comes to delivering democracy dividends. This why there is the need for us to continue to empower the people, sustain democracy, bring development to the grassroots and provide good infrastructural facilities that will make the state greater. The Almighty Allah is helping us to achieve what we thought in mind to achieve.
When we assumed office in 1999, as Kwankwasiyya’s movement, there was nothing like flyovers, streetlights or underpasses and road marking. But we thank God and we can beat our chest that the Kwankwasiyya has done a lot in developmental improvement in the state. In fact, the Kwankwasiyya has done a lot in terms of education, infrastructure and agriculture. Kano, being a commercial centre, the Kwankwasiyya has achieved a pragmatic improvement, that whenever, the history of the city would be written in the future, the name Kwankwasiyya would be written in gold and can never be forgotten.
We will continue to do well; that is our target because it is our mission, the reason we are in charge; we do not see it as something magical or as a miracle. Before, we came to power, you could count the number of Professors in Kano. But now, with Kwankwasiyya in power, you can count thousands. Now, can see a huge number PhD holders, whereas it was just 200 before in all the 44 local government areas of the State. With Kwankwasiyya in power, now we have many of them and there is hardly a household you would not find a PhD holder. Now, the question about the number of Master Degree holders is no longer an issue. Every house now boasts Degree holders and Masters and more are on the way by the grace of God because we believe in education, infrastructure, agriculture, commerce and we are doing things for the betterment of our people while the teeming masses are praying for us. Therefore, no party can dislodge us as the people do not want to associate with failure.
Contrary to your claim, the APC in particular says the NNPP has failed the people so they are keen on effecting a change at the government House in the next election.
! am very sorry to use these words that what happened in Kano State from 1999 was a a voting pattern of rigging and whatever. But at the end of the day, our party or group is always the last man standing. Right from the time that Dr Kwankwaso came to power, the people at the grassroots have been rallying round him in any political party he belongs. You saw the trend in 2003, a lot happened that made Dr Kwankwaso to lose the election to former Governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau. Kwankwaso, who has passion and love for Kano, accepted defeat. He scored over 540,000 votes in 1999 and in 2003, he also scored 859,000 votes; he was defeated but he also congratulated Malam Ibrahim Shekarau. His opponent, however, messed up everything and had nothing to show in terms of good governance and service to the people in their eight years of administration; nothing tangible to show for it. Let me tell you this, members of the public in the state have seen the difference and they are not ready to associate with other political party because they can see laudable projects being executed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, a true-blooded Kwankwasiyya’ s movement ambassador.
Quote me anywhere, the present administration is operating in the same pace with the people of Kano. We are doing what they like and want. We will continue to do the right thing and with what is on the ground, no party can defeat us come 2027. All I can tell you is that there is no vacancy in Kano, but there is vacancy in Aso rock for Dr Kwankwaso to occupy.
What are the likely immediate and long-term impact and implications of the removal of the Secretary to the State Government and other top functionaries by the state governor in the buildup to the next elections in the state?
The former SSG, Dr Bappar Bichi, was not the only member that was removed during the recent cabinet reshuffle. Some commissioners were also removed during the exercise. Cabinet reshuffle is normal in any administration. It happened in Lagos, Oyo, Kaduna, Katsina and in other states in the country. However, maybe it is his destiny to achieve a higher position in life. However, if anybody decides to leave the party, we will pray for them. We will continue to pray for the incumbent governor to continue to do more for the people of the state in term of executing friendly projects capable of touching the lives of the populace
Some of those commissioners that were removed have been reappointed and posted to other ministries. Maybe, the removed SSG can get another political portfolio in future; anything can happen. However, the former SSG is still our member. All we know is that we are working for the people of Kano and our people equally appreciate this and they have resolved to be with us, come sun, come rain. There is no shaking.
Does your party still stand the chance of securing the large number of votes it got in the 2023 general election in Kano State and why?
You are from Ibadan in Oyo State and Yoruba by tribe, but with the number of years you have spent in Kano, I’m sure you know that Kano will remain under the Kwankwasiyya movement or any party that our mentor- Dr.Kwankwaso belongs because the party the leader belongs to is the NNPP. Definitely, nobody from this state or any other party can defeat us come 2027, mark my word! They had tried it severally, we have defeated them severally; we will not be tired and we will continue to defeat them. Don’t mind them, they are just making noise. Let me tell you all of them are expired politicians desperately searching for relevance, but unknown to them that the people at the grassroots have known their antics thereby they will continue to vote against them. We have concerns over Kano State. The teeming youths, women, widows and even students are with us. They have identified with the Abba Gida-Gida, our able governor, for the numerous laudable projects he has been executing and the people will continue to bond with us.
recently, Governor Yusuf had gave out about two million uniforms to pupils in public schools,. Besides, more than 1,001 students have graduated from various scholarship overseas. The state government has constructed over 879,000 classrooms across the state. The governor is doing very well and we will continue to do very well. As I said earlier, there is no vacancy in Kano Government House, but there is vacancy in Aso rock for Dr. Kwankwaso to take over from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in 2027 by God grace.
What will be your performance rating of the NNNP state administration vis-a-vis APC as ruling party in the past and why?
First, we thank the Almighty God for all what our able Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Abba Gida- Gida, has been doing. He has been executing laudable and friendly projects. Of recent, he paid more than N16 billion pension and gratuities of retirees. He also paid the WAEC and NECOs fees for many students> he paid a huge amount of money as the registration fees for students in tertiary institutions and has provided a good network across the 44 local government area of the state. Just last week, Governor Yusuf was in Dawakin-Kudu to commission the 5 km road initiated by Dr Kwankwaso but which was abandoned by Dr Ganduje’s administration. The commissioning of the road would enhance the transportation system. The governor has been reposition agriculture with the provision of subsidized fertiliser sale to farmers
Many infrastructural and developmental projects springing up across the 44 local government area of the state; urbanization is being reduced because, many youths and people coming to the state capital now stay in their respective local government areas to enjoy what the present administration has done for them. Also, companies and individuals were paying their taxes, because they were convinced that the taxes they were paying, the government using it judiciously. However, if I should continue to mention what the Kwankwasiyya’s movement under the able leadership has done in just about two years of Abba Gida-Gida, we would not end this interview. Therefore, going by the ongoing projects executed in the State by governor Alhaji Yusuf, God has assisted him to have done, however the teeming masses, equally who were praying for him to succeed, I can conveniently awarded 99 .99 percent to governor Yusuf, as his performance so far.
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