WE are at it again. Yes, Kano is at the verge of going into an avoidable arbitration that could disrupt the expected democratic advancement of the state. About two days ago, few hours after the All Progressive Congress, APC, defeated candidate of the Kano gubernatorial election, and the serving Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, released a recorded message, wherein he conceded defeat and congratulated his opponent, Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, the Governor elect, came out with a warning, telling peoole undertaking construction on public places to keep off.
Through a directive, given by his Chief Press Secretary, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor-elect advised the discontinuance of demolition on all existing buildings belonging to the government and the people of Kano State. “You are advised to discontinue any construction work on public land within and around the following: All schools in the State, all religious and cultural sites in the State, all hospitals in the State, all graveyards in the State, and along the city walls of Kano. You are also advised to discontinue the demolition of, and the construction on, all existing public buildings belonging to the government and the people.”
Again this morning, Saturday, 01/04/2023, through the same Chief Press Secretary, Governor elect Abba Kabir Yusuf issued another warning, saying all subsisting and prospective lenders to Kano state government should desist from giving the Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje administration loans, because his government won’t honour or pay back such loans. He also added that, all existing loan facilities taken by the Ganduje administration shall be renegotiated by the new administration and guided by the utilisation audit/review of each loan facility.
Whatever may be the reasons for such advanced warnings, they are likely to be misinterpreted, misunderstood and misconceived, because they are hasty.
Irked by these hasty actions, Governor Ganduje, through the Commissioner of Information, Hon. Mohammed Garba, sent a message of caution to Abba, telling him Ganduje is still the subsisting Governor of the state, as such, Abba should exercise patience and desist from issuing official pronouncements. Legally, this is true and germane, as far as government and the management of public affairs are concerned.
It may interest the reader to know that, in his congratulatory message, the defeated candidate of the APC, and the sitting Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Nasir Yusuf Gawuna said and I quote, “As the winner of the election, we pray to God to make him(Abba) a good leader. We also pray that God will make us obedient and good followers to the leadership. May Allah bring peace and harmony to our dear state”.
If the above statement does not evoke a sentiment that is consistent with the behaviour of a man that is poised for a peaceful and orderly transition of power, then perhaps nothing would ever do. I see the action of Dr. Nasir Gawuna as politically matured, and a show of the character of a man that has come of age.
Earlier on, after listening to his acceptance speech, I had course to salute the Governor elect, Abba Yusuf, for the composure with which he delivered it, particularly his presence of mind, even though I raised the issue of him omitting the aspect of reprimanding the hoodlums that unleashed violence on some people in the city, after the results were announced.
The dictionary describes governance as, “The system by which entities are directed and controlled. It is concerned with structure and processes for decision making, accountability, control and behaviour at the top”. An advanced interpretation can be deduced to say, governance implies leaders having the authority to carry out decisions on behalf of the people.
And in democracy, which is a government of the people, for the people by the people, executive decisions are binding. Where there is dispute with regards such decisions, democracy has made a provision for settlement, and that’s where the judiciary comes in.
By definition, the judiciary is empowered to interpret and apply laws to specific cases. In the course of deciding the disputes that come before it, the judges interpret and apply laws, to see whether the actions taken were taken appropriately. This function is performed by the judges and not leaders in awaiting. Should elected leaders, or Governors-elect in this case, be issuing threats prior to their coming to office, the system would constantly be heated up, political tension would be heightened, and the stage would be set for unmitigated litigation that could injure progress.
Governor-elect Abba Yusuf needs to assure the people of Kano that he is coming to move the state forward, and not coming with the mind-set of vindictiveness. He has demonstrated that by appointing a Chief Press Secretary that is respected in the media profession. Yes, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa is a square peg in a square hole. The same is expected to be seen in the appointment of his members of cabinet.
Abba mustn’t vindicate those of us that are questioning his administrative experience, by borrowing from the old saying that, “If the only tool you have is a hammer, you will start treating every problem like a nail.”
Analysts say when Abraham Kaplan composed that saying, what he had in mind was a small and inexperienced boy, thus, “Give a small boy a hammer and he will find that everything he encounters needs a pounding.”
Much as I detest the bastardization of Kano and it’s original master plan, I also detest erratic behaviours that would not be able to stand legal tests. By announcing his plans, Abba has given his opponents the chance to also plan. They would go to court, and in democracy, with our own peculiar system of protracted litigations, his regime may be more regular in court, than with the call to duty.
Ibrahim is the director, publicity for the APC.