Our Kano State People, By Auwal Sani Anwar

Kano people are some of the most politically savvy collectives in Nigeria and indeed the world.

In the 80s, Kano people chose a small, progressive party over a nationally-spread party and it served them well.

When Gov. Rimi appeared to have bitten the finger that fed him, despite their love for Rimi, they ditched him, if only to teach him a lesson, and stuck with Mal. Aminu Kano's anointed. You could call that a sympathy vote.

In the 90s, Kano people so loved Rimi for his achievements in office, the one they sacked him from, that they ditched SDP on his say so and voted in an NRC candidate that never thought he could win.

In 2003, Kano people dumped Kwankwaso of the national ruling party, not because they under-appreciated his work, but because a Muhammadu Buhari, who was known to have a most disciplined, most incorruptible, and most decent personality was contesting for president and they wanted to support him all the way.

In 2011, on appraising the performance of Buhari's 2003 anointed, Kano people chose to ignore Buhari's gubernatorial candidate, and voted back in, guess who, Kwankwaso to complete his productive term. Meanwhile, they massively voted for Buhari at the Presidential election.

In 2015, Kano people voted in Kwankwaso's anointed, Ganduje, as Governor and Buhari as President. This was because they were happy with Kwankwaso's performance and they believed that Ganduje's govt would build on the foundation of Kwankwaso's.

Let it not be mistaken that Ganduje was a passenger in Kwankwaso's govt. Not at all. Ganduje was an active participant in policy and execution of Kwankwaso's govt in 1999-2003 and in 2011-2015. Additionally, Ganduje is perhaps the best 2iC that any leader can hope for. He was loyal to fault.

Now whatever is happening, must have started after he assumed the mantle of leadership of this all important State.

I have no way of knowing for a fact, who is really at fault.

But one thing I know for sure is that Kano people are well-known for rooting for the underdog. If you start beating some people up simply for a political difference, then they will remember NEPU and pitch in with the oppressed. Afterall, this is Aminu Kano's town - the father of all talakawas.

Please stop it before the train leaves the station. It can still be salvaged. Don't give Kano people a reason to cast sympathy votes. Because they can. Win Kano people over by the quality of your work and the soundness of your arguments.

Remember they ditched Buhari's candidate in 2015 in the same Kano that Buhari could do no wrong. Remember they ditched Rimi in1983, a candidate that they loved, for what they considered as disloyalty. This means Kano people are not only excellent in jealously protecting their political interest, but they also have a heart.

I think a word is enough for the wise.

By Auwal Sani Anwar