If political pundits had predicted several years back that; former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso and his former deputy Abdullahi Ganduje now incumbent Governor of Kano would fall apart, politically, a man who sees tomorrow would debunk such prediction. Because they both share same political ideology, which led to the massive redefining and placing of Kano state on the world map as a hub for commerce and industrialization. When Sen Kwankwanso was Governor of Kano, Ganduje was a loyal deputy. He displayed maximum respect to his boss despite the age difference between them, as, he openly acknowledge kwankwaso as his political mentor. When the red-cap senator was leaving as Governor, He decided to compensate Ganduje’s loyalty with the Kano state governorship seat.
After Ganduje emerged as Governor, many had thought the once sweet relationship between Kwankwanso and Ganduje would keep waxing stronger. Alas, reverse was the case. In less than a year, the bad blood between them got to its crescendo. Things fell apart between them as the centre could no longer hold.
A source in Kano state told CITYSPY, the genesis of the clash between the two political titan, the source said; ”The reason for the animosity between Senator Kwankwanso and Governor Ganduje started after Kwankwanso’s over bearing influence on Ganduje’s Government, because he worked assiduously to make Ganduje Governor. He did not allow Gov. Ganduje take some drastic decisions, he was always interfering into the affairs of the state. When he (Kwankwaso) was Governor, he was given the free hand to rule, this helped him actualise many successful project across the state. But interfering into Ganduje’s Governments, pushing endless list of Commissioners, Senior Advisers and other political appointee is not the way to go. He should allow Ganduje appoint those he wants to work with. All this among other issues caused the rift between them.”
In a political setting in a state, the Governor owns the grassroots structure. For Ganduje a former Deputy Governor, settled well into the structure Kwankwanso left behind as Governor which helped his government score high within few years. This was allegedly part of what caused the bad blood between them; Kwankwaso, further alleged Ganduje of high-jacking the grassroots political structure he left behind.
As the 2019 general election beckons, different political mystery are beginning to unfold. Senator Kwankwanso and Governor Ganduje are set to hold parallel political rally in Kano on January 30. The two separate events were centred on the forthcoming local government election in the state slated for February 10, 2018 and by extension, the 2019 general elections.
According to the All Progressive Congress APC campaign timetable, the party would hold its rally at Kwanar Dangora along Kano- Abuja road on January 30 January for the presentation of flags to candidates. However, Senator Kwankwanso is expected to come to Kano from Abuja same day to help his people in the ongoing campaign ahead of the February 10 local government poll. There are fears that supporters of the two groups might clash during the events.
There are rumours alleging that Senator Kwankwanso did not inform the party about his planned rally which coincides with the Ganduje-led APC faction rally. A source told CITYSPY that ”Had it been he (Kwankwanso) wrote to notify the party, the party would have shifted its own rally to another day. But Ganduje’s led faction rally is based on activities in line with KANSIEC’s timetable”.
