23/09/2023
In the past 24 hours, I had time to reflect on the implications of the Kano state election tribunal judgement. The weight of it, its ramifications, and what it portends for the progress and development of our dear state.
I couldn't stop the flurry of bad memories of the past eight years when Kano was afflicted with cancer, a cancer that spread from the government house to the civil service and all other arms of government. The election of Abba Kabir Yusuf was the much-needed remedy the state desperately required.
We must therefore, pray, to never go back to those dark days; when pensioners, after a lifetime of work and dedication to the state were denied their severance and gratuity unless they shared it with government officials and their families; where indiscriminate land-grabbing and racketeering is the order of the day; where multiple phone snatching and knife stabbing was a daily occurrence; where family members, with no job description, approve, reject and dismissed government memos; where the state of our educational and health care service delivery is better imagined than said.
It is important we remain resolute, focused and law-abiding but to never falter. The battle is not over yet, the judgement was a temporary setback, but we shall overcome it at the appellate courts.
We must also learn to ignore the jarring noises of our detractors, especially the spectators from our neighbouring states. We must excuse their ignorance, for they are yet to taste the dividends of democracy in their respective states, at least, not on the large scale we were opportune to experience during Kwankwaso’s government. As such, we yearn and strive for the Kwankwasiyya ideology, but they cannot relate to it, hence they resort to mocking us.
We are known for our political resilience, tenacity and mutual love for Kano and good governance. Let us keep to that.
Umar Gezawa
