It is often said that when power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Many of the state governors, due largely to their unhindered and unlimited access to billions of public funds they are not made to account for, are power drunk. Their open display of power-drunkenness while in office ranks them as possibly among the most power-drunk political officers not only on the African continent but also in the world. Unfortunately, most of them were no characters any right-thinking person with discerning mind could reckon with before they got into their enviable positions. However, as soon as they get into such tenured offices, they become arrogant, garrulous and uncontrollable believing they only have the monopoly of wisdom. This is why, on completion of their terms, they feel unsafe and unwilling to return to the larger society since many of them, in reality, have no meaningful jobs to return to in spite of the ill-gotten wealth they are usually alleged to have acquired while in office. Also, largely due to avoidable criminal atrocities some of them might have perpetrated while in office, they feel insecure to return to the society.
It is for this reason and many more, that every four years, many governors that have completed their two terms, including those having serious allegations of corrupt enrichment dangling over their heads like the Sword of Damocles, proudly head straight to the Senate which for a number of years since 1999, has served as comfortable and protective fortress for former state governors in Nigeria. In the outgoing National Assembly, it is believed that not less than 28 former governors are Senators. Two of them are currently serving jail terms. When the incoming ninth NASS is inaugurated in June 2019, the number of former governors serving as senators would have increased. In Nigeria, state governors are not only exceedingly powerful, influential and wealthy, whoever is president also needs their unwavering support to succeed in his Herculean task. This is why their insatiable delight in seizing local council allocations, has virtually crippled local government administration system in Nigeria.
In Yoruba land, when somebody is pointedly advised not to risk rubbing his nose or nostril with the bony head of a cobra, he should heed the wise advice. The unpleasant musings raging ferociously across the traditionally great Kano State are giving many indigenes of the state, as well as other Nigerians cause for concern. The embattled Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, needs to tread softly to avert serious crisis in the politically active and commercially vibrant state which, several years back, was known for its vast wealth arising from massive exploits in groundnut production. Also, fortunately, Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, is a distinguished Nigerian who hails from Kano State.
However, the seemingly absurd happenings constantly rearing their ugly heads in Kano will require that respectable leaders there advise the governor to be mindful of taking decisions capable of causing disaffection among individuals, groups and agencies in the state. Recently, the governor was reportedly alleged to be involved in shameful corruption scandal that portrayed him and his state in bad light globally. Although he won election for second term, the controversy that trailed the huge scandal is yet to subside finally. Sometime last week, he hinted there would soon be shake-up in his cabinet “as part of a broad vision to move the state to the next level”. His Director-General, Media and Publicity, Ameen. K. Yassar, reportedly said the exercise is aimed at removing bad eggs from the governor’s cabinet.
In quick succession last week, the controversy-ridden case of alleged mismanagement of Kano State Emirate Council Fund which seemed to have subsided following intervention of some eminent federal and state government personalities was revisited. Sometime in 2018, Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission commenced investigation into finances of current Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II. Many insinuated the exercise was subtle plan by Ganduje-led administration to dethrone the highly influential Emir. By revisiting the issue last week, there are speculations that attempt to disgrace and oust the Emir has been renewed.
Giving credence to this was the speedy action by the Kano State House of Assembly to review the law that established Kano Emirate Council with a view to decentralising it into five different emirates – Kano, Gaya, Bichi, Rano and Karaye “in order to bring development to Kano State”. Surprisingly, within three days, Kano Assembly passed the bill establishing the new emirates into law while Ganduje signed it into law. In reaction, Kano First Forum, headed by Dr. Yusuf Rabiu, reportedly condemned establishment of the new emirates which he claimed would bring disunity among Kano citizens. More citizens said there are more pressing matters begging for attention of Kano Assembly than creation of new emirate councils which they alleged could further ruin Kano heritage that had lasted 2,000 years.
Recent Kano Government-sponsored mass wedding of 1,500 couples comprising widows drawn from the 44 local government councils of the state has been generating controversies in many parts of Nigeria. The government said the ceremony gulped N30 million with each couple receiving N20,000.00 as bride price, as well as state-of-the-art room furniture. Some are wondering why the ceremony was funded with public funds. Is this not avenue through which government flagrantly abuses public funds? Would it not have been better to provide the widows funds to establish micro-scale businesses rather than pay for their weddings? Now that they are married, can they sustain their marriages financially without reverting to government for further support? Is this amazing culture that allows government to assume such financial responsibility to couples in Kano sustainable?
Act of legislative recklessness by Kano State House of Assembly got to ridiculous level when the legislators approved life pension for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker last week. They are also entitled to foreign trips for medical treatment and new vehicles every four years. Is this not outrageous in view of the likely enormous financial implications on the economy of Kano? The musings from Kano are disturbing. Ironically, Danguje is following the footsteps of his in-law and Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi over appointment of new traditional rulers. As witnessed in Ibadan land, Danguje’s ill-motivated action will eventually fail judging by spate of criticisms flying around within and beyond Kano.
A court has since ruled against creation of the new four emirate councils __ an action widely believed to be targeted at whittling down the rising global influence and enormous powers of Emir of Kano. Incidentally, just last week, the highly revered emir got two reputable world-class appointments even before the crisis rocking Kano Emirate Council. First was United Nations appointment, followed immediately by non-Executive Directorship of MTN Group Worldwide. Not MTN Nigeria. Comparatively, Ganguje cannot match Sanusi in terms of influence, academic scholarship and achievements. Even if he is eventually dethroned, Sanusi will remain relevant globally. Ganduje, like his fellow governors, should realise power-drunkenness and vindictiveness have expiry dates and that no condition in life is permanent.
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