From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
For Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2023 general election, politics and the art of politicking is all about being strategic and using the right formula to address issues at the right time. Just as he declared during one of his interfaces with various groups in Kano at the weekend, “mine is to win election without rigging.”
Indeed, the Jagaban Borgu, as he is fundly called has been putting the right pegs on the right holes, as he keep accelerating, wedging a gap of edge against his opponents. Having an indisputable political influence in Lagos, where he served as a two-term governor and represented one of the major Districts as a Senator, Tinubu has made reasonable moves to capture Kano.
There is no gainsaying the fact that Tinubu is in control of the political soul of Lagos with the highest registered number of Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) of 7, 155, 920. Kano is coming second with 6, 026, 850 registered PVCs.
However, pundits are positing that the three-day visit of Tinubu to Kano where he had interactive sessions with different groups of people including religious leaders, traditional rulers and the business community is not only strategic, but has pushed up his chances of having a smooth ride to Aso Rock come 2023.
When Tinubu landed at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) on Saturday, the unprecedented crowd that greeted him at the airport made his long convoy to move at a very snail-pace, taking almost two and half hours to reach Club Road where he commissioned a campaign office, a distance, which ordinarily would have taken less than twenty minutes from the airport. In fact, Tinubu’s presence in Kano between Saturday and Monday, took shine off any other political activities in the ancient commercial city, in recent times.
On his arrival at Club Road, Tinubu told Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari has performed creditably in delivering democratic dividends. He insisted that there was no reason for Nigerians to have regrets voting President Buhari into power. He said he will consolidate on President Buhari’s achievements and performance if voted in as President in 2023. He urged Nigerians not to be deterred by propaganda being promulgated by the opposition against President Buhari’s government, adding that the APC means well for the country.
The APC presidential candidate urged Nigerians not to be deceived by critics who allege that the President has not performed within over seven years of his administration.
“Don’t have any regret at all. Don’t allow those who don’t know the way to victory, and don’t understand the success of a nation to lie to you about Buhari or anybody. Don’t let them. Throw it back at them. Take your broom firmly and sweep Nigeria clean. This party will receive victory, this country will experience progress, and this office will be filled with joy come February 2023.
“Those whom I think have not been adequately rewarded, I beg your pardon forget it. The time of God Almighty is the best time. God will answer your prayers and give you the ultimate and good rewards. As I stand before you, I promise that I will change the reward system once I become President Insha Allah. You will not regret ever working for our party. It is a joy for me to be back home in Kano. We are not conducting any rallies, we are only inspecting and talking to business groups. I will come back prepared to do a big rally,” he said.
Later on Saturday night, during a dinner organized in his honour by the Kano Business Community, Tinubu assisted victims of the recent flood disaster in Kano with N100 million to enable them alleviate their suffering. He called on Nigerians to pray for victims of flood disaster, adding that if elected, he will take measures that will ensure that Nigerians are protected from preventable disasters. The APC presidential candidate further stated that, “unity in diversity, peace and prosperity are the fulcrum of my mission in this contest,” while disclosing that the Federal Government had taken several measures to build infrastructure and improve the ease of doing business across the country.
He promised to reposition existing industries and make them a competitive source of industrialisation and growth, not just for the North or Kano but the entire country. He, however, commended Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for his giant strides in infrastructural development in the state.
The APC standard bearer who described Ganduje as, “a friend and a reliable partner,” said that the relationship between Kano and Lagos dated back to years due to the similarities between the two economic giants. He also promised the business community that he would provide enabling environment for business to thrive in the state. Tinubu promised to support the Kano business community with their blueprint, if elected, “if we win the election, we will call your representatives and see how we can move the nation forward.”
In his speech, Governor Ganduje described Tinubu as an exceptional leader who has the capacity to provide the needed leadership that would consolidate and continue to ensure the country’s democratic gains, adding that, “Kano is APC and APC is Kano. So, our people are on board and we are soliciting for their support as usual,” Ganduje said, adding that Tinubu is a leader who would unite and move the nation forward.” Ganduje equally charged all party members to remain united and focused as the party moved with Nigerians to victory in 2023.
Speaking on the occasion, the APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, commended the business community council for organising the dinner in honour of Tinubu. He therefore described the gesture as endorsement, said that their demands would be met if Tinubu is elected as president. The APC presidential candidate was accompanied to the dinner by the Governors of Kano, Jigawa, Yobe and Zamfara States, Abdullahi Ganduje, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, Alhaji Bello Matawalle and Alhaji Mai Mala-Buni, including members of National Assembly, state Assembly, the state executive council, among other party stalwarts.
On Sunday, Tinubu played host to religious leaders from both Muslim and Christian faith at Africa House, Government House, Kano. During his interactive session with the Tijjaniyya Islamic Sect, he promised to rebuild Nigeria and make it far more better than Dubai if elected as President in 2023. He said he will dedicate 100 percent of his time and energy in developing and uniting Nigeria. He promised to fight banditry and insurgency, ensure qualitative education, adequate power supply, industralistion, food security, physical security, among other Democratic dividends.
The APC presidential candidate advised Nigerians never to support a party (People’s Democratic Party) which ruled for 16 years, spent $16 billion on power supply, without anything to show for it. Tinubu positioned himself as the best presidential candidate to redeem Nigeria, saying, “we are only three left (in the presidential race), one just failed the most important examination when he was asked: ‘are you a divider or Uniter, and he said ‘I am from the North… ” Making reference to the National Anthem, Tinubu said the time has come when Nigerians should do away with ethnic interest and promote national unity and cohesion. He re-emphasized his desire to devote hundred percent of his time and energy to serve, lead and unite the country, saying, “no one will come and divide us again. Let me ask which one you will take: here is the right hand giving you hundred per cent, the other hand is giving you 50 per cent, I am sure you will take hundred per cent. I am the only one that gives you 100 per cent.
“I promised 100 per cent, I Will give you 100 per cent.. Even Dubai is 50 per cent. We will be better than Dubai. We are giving you a blueprint that is progressive. I just want to thank you for the endorsement. I just want to thank you for your prayers, commitment and support. During our primary election, I spoke with most of you Ulamas, you offered me your prayers. You should be proud that I am standing before you today. It is only few steps away to become the President. So, your prayers are answered,” he added.
In his remarks, Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, described the occasion as historic and urged the Tijjaniyya Sect to support the Tinubu/Shetima presidential ticket.
The leader of the Tijjaniyya Sect in Kano, Khalifa Bashir Tijjani Usman presented the position paper of the Tijjania Shura Council to Tinubu. Their demand to Tinubu if elected president include string and realistic national security, sustainable food production, adequate power supply, creation of state police, youth development, healthcare delivery, education development, inclusion of Tijjaniyya members in constitution review and appointment in leadership positions. He also offered prayers for God to allow Tinubu become the next president of Nigeria.
Tinubu also had interactive session with the Izala Sect (Ahalussun’a Islamic group) who also encouraged him to remain steadfast in his desire to rebuild Nigeria. The spokesman of the group, Dr. Sale Pakistan recalled the long standing mutual relationship between the Sect and Tinubu. He commended the giant strides of the APC administration under Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in Kano State, and prayed for the success of APC candidates, including gubernatorial and presidential in 2023 general elections.
In his brief remarks, Ganduje described leaders of the Izala sect as very knowledgeable and thanked them for endorsing the Tinubu/Shetima presidential ambition.
Tinubu while addressing the Izala sect said, “I stand to accept your endorsement. And Insha Allah, we will win the presidency.” He promised to ensure that the items in their document which include building a university and inclusion of their members in the cabinet will be done. He promised to invite them specially for a longer discussion and interactions. Tinubu also played host to a number of other religious and interest groups where he promised to carry them along if elected the president in 2023.
During his meeting with Kano branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Tinubu urged the Christian community to cast their votes without religious sentiment. He insisted that he remains the best presidential candidate and is sure of winning the election on a free and fair poll in 2023. He appealed to CAN to eschew religious sentiment and vote him in 2023 presidential election, insisting that he is the best candidate to give Nigeria good leadership. He reminded the Christian leaders that he is married to a Pastor, adding that his decision for Muslim-Muslim ticket was never to spite Christians, but to ensure that he used the best political formula to win elections.
“Thank you everyone here. Thank you CAN. Thank you Pastors. I am a unique Muslim because I am married to a Pastor. When I am at home, she is the boss. I did not try to Islamise her. We have two bedside lamps, one with the Bible, the other one with the Holy Quran. I have never seen the two Holy Books change their position or quarrel in the same bedroom. We have a country to build. Me, I have election to win. After winning my primary election, I didn’t look for the ballot papers to know whether those who voted were Muslim or Christians. All I needed was to win, and I won. When I won, I started dancing. If you polarise Nigeria along religious lines, we will have bad leadership. We should not fight along religious lines. The way you pray for forgiveness as a Christian is the same way I pray for forgiveness as a Muslim. I know you would not want to be an enemy to the winning team. I am a politician, I have a formula, and my formula is to win election without rigging. I am a minority Muslim from Yoruba, how will I go and chose one Emmanuel from Sokoto…,” Tinubu said.
In his remarks, Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje commended the Kano CAN leadership for honouring the invitation. “I thank Kano CAN for honouring this invitation…we have our presidential candidate and former Governor of Lagos state. You know the development in Lagos. Seeing is believing. Therefore, his own is that he is tested and he can be trusted. His running-mate developed Born state, and the person he handed over to is doing well. I am happy that you appreciate our candidate. I am happy that you have endorsed our candidate. So, we thank you for endorsing our candidate.”
In his address, Kano CAN chairman, Rev. Samuel Adeyemo, said they were at Government House on the invitation of Governor Ganduje who he described as a detribalized leader. According to him, Kano has remained peaceful under Governor Ganduje who sees all residents as indigenes of the state. He said, “CAN Kano has two key responsibilities—to be praying for peace in Kano and Nigeria. We also know that the APC presidential candidate will be doing a lot of travels for his campaign, we are praying for his safety. We also urge Christians in the state to exercise their civic responsibility during the elections.”
On Sunday night, Tinubu’s convoy headed to the Indoor Sports Hall of Sani Abacha Stadium where he met with different Support Groups of his campaign organization, including youths and women, who dressed smartly and elegantly. They waited patiently for him since 12 noon that Sunday without murmuring, and his entrance into the hall was heralded with shouts and chanting of pro-Tinubu presidency songs. After after listening to the speakers who pledged full support to his campaign, Tinubu promised to carry youths and women along if elected president. He promised job creation, skill acquisition, educational development, industrialization, improvement in the agricultural sector, poverty alleviation, among other democratic dividends that will bring good life to the people.
From Sani Abacha stadium Indoor Sports Hall, Tinubu proceeded to Coronation Hall, Government House, where he attended a Gala Nite and received the endorsement of members and leaders of Kannywood and the Hausa Music Industry.
On Monday morning, Tinubu played host to leaders of Ethnic Nationalities in Kano led by Eze Ndigbo in Kano, His Highness, Igwe Boniface Ibekwe. The body comprising of traditional cum community leaders from Igbo, Yoruba, Edo, Efik, among other ethnic nationalities in Kano had extensive interface with Tinubu and pledged support to his presidential ambition. The APC presidential candidate also had meetings with the Emirs, opinion leaders and elders in the ancient commercial city, all of whom assured him of their unalloyed support.
Though Tinubu has said that his recent visit to Kano was not part of his campaign programmes, pundits say that the mammoth crowd of supporters that welcomed him, with the array of endorsement he received from different powerful groups in the state is a testament that the Kanawas, and indeed, majority of residents of the ancient commercial city have seen in Tinubu traits of a President that can lead Nigeria out of the doldrums. Indeed, this brings to mind, the popular saying that, “in politics, when Kano sneezes, Nigeria catches cold.”
