BY YUSUF ISHAKU GOJE
Tongues are wagging in Kaduna State. The rumors making rounds is that Governor Uba Sani’s predecessor, Mallam Nasiru Elrufai, is said to be intentionally keeping his distance. The height of it being the alleged refusal by his predecessor to pay him a condolence visit, after the bombing mishap in Tudun Biri of Igabi LGA. This write-up will look at a few happenings that seek to give credence to the existence of a covert rift and a call to focus on governance.
Are we about to witness a play-out of the predecessor versus incumbent feud, or better put, the godfather and godson supremacy battle? When it comes to battle for supremacy, many are quick to reference the political imbroglio between Wike-Fubara in Rivers and Kwankwaso-Ganduje in Kano. The few exceptions of harmony between a godfather and godson is Shetima-Zulum in Borno as well as Tinubu-Fashola in Lagos.
Kaduna State had only two election-driven succession from a predecessor to an incumbent since 1999. That was Makarfi to Namadi in 2007 and the recent El-rufai to Uba Sani in 2023. The two other transitions from Namadi to Yakowa and Yakowa to Yero were not through elections. The Makarfi to Namadi succession did not show early overt battle for supremacy coupled with the fact that barely over two-years after, the latter went on to become Vice President.
Similarly, even though there was a sign of departure in leadership style and rising tension between Namadi and Yakowa, the demise of the latter had left any possibility of such a fallout in the realm of speculation. In similar fashion, not much can be said about Yakowa to Yero succession, because the latter took over as a result of the demise of the former.
During the 2023 gubernatorial campaign, his predecessor, Mallam Nasir El-rufai and the incumbent Governor, Mallam Uba Sani, spoke glowingly about each other. It was public knowledge the incumbent was not the preferred candidate of his predecessor. Nonetheless, the predecessor marketed the incumbent as the messiah; while the incumbent did not fail to extol and defend his predecessor. As well as, made several promises to S.U.S.T.A.I.N his predecessor’s legacies.
Currently, there seems to be an uneasy calm within the camps of his predecessor and the incumbent Governor in the State. The early warning signs started before the election, with the disquiet over the composition of the campaign team and change of rhetoric, few weeks to election, promising to review policy reforms. For instance, the increment of fees in tertiary institutions, which has now been reviewed downwards. This is a reform that his predecessor had passionately defended and implemented despite public outcry.
Eyebrows were also raised when the incumbent began to make appointments. Many loyalists of his predecessor were appointed into strategic positions. However, some of the strategic appointments he requested were not yielded to him, according to insiders. Interestingly, one of the strong allies of the predecessor is said to have even rejected his appointment. More so, overt political enemies of his predecessor have now been given prominence in the current administration. This shows something is amiss.
What further drew public attention to suspicion of rising tension and mistrust was the setting-up of a committee to review ongoing infrastructure contracts. However, when the committee Chairman was allegedly reported by the media to have made a statement alluding to the contractors, linked to the predecessor’s administration, abandoning the projects, despite the rebuttal, many believed it was part of the fallout, as there is no smoke without fire.
A major thrust of his predecessor’s administration is the Urban Renewal Projects. However, the incumbent has made it clear in his public statements that his focus will be investment in rural development, while making little or no mention of the Urban Renewal Projects. There is also the reintroduction of fertilizer subsidy with an allocation of N1 billion in the 2024 budget. Ironically, his predecessor celebrated the removal of the fertilizer subsidy as part of his achievement.
Likewise, after the elections, a video emerged where his predecessor standing close to the incumbent boastfully reeled-out how the faultlines of religion were used to win the 2023 general elections. While the incumbent did not immediately disassociate himself from such divisive statement, recently his action of working closely with leaders of both religions (CAN and JNI) and the surprise appearance at a christmas carol event in a Church shows a marked departure from his predecessor’s leadership style.
Also, the close relationship with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leaders – a body that had a running battle with his predecessor. As well as the recent visit by SOKAPU leadership to the Government House – a body his predecessor equally had a bitter running battle with in the media; and the recent acceptance of traditional title in Southern Kaduna, from an ethnic group his predecessor proscribed its development association before leaving office. Says it all.
As they say in politics there is no permanent friend, only permanent interest. So, the battle for supremacy should not be unexpected. Whether this write-up is just the figment of the imagination of the writer or this is the emerging reality, the biggest issue is not the feud but its impact on governance. The political gladiators should be reminded that it is the people that will suffer more when they go into an endless ego-driven battle for supremacy.
Let the ruling party in the State, under which both the incumbent Governor and his predecessor come from, focus on delivering fiscal sustainability as well as reduction in poverty, unemployment, out-of-pocket health expenditure, out-of-school children, crimes and insecurity. We will entertain only results that impacts the people not political drama and excuses.
Goje is a member of the civil society in Kaduna State and an OGP Enthusiast.
greatnessygoje@gmail.com