The intoxicating allure of power often blinds even the most astute leaders to its transient nature.
As Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengali philosopher, once said, “The leaves fall, the forest is still, the world is silent.” So too, it seems, is the once-unstoppable rise of Senator Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso beginning to falter, as whispers of a weakening grip on Kano politics grow louder.
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The glaring question is: Is the veteran politician losing his footing in the state he once dominated?
The once-formidable influence of Rabiu Kwankwaso in Kano politics appears to be waning, with deepening divisions within the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) at a time when his die-hard loyalist and mentee, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, is asserting his gubernatorial independence.
Sources suggest that Governor Yusuf’s growing disconnect from Kwankwaso’s camp is fueling speculation about a possible defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In Kano, where Kwankwaso once held sway, his grip on power is being tested – an omen cited by political pundits saying, “Signs are emerging that Kwankwaso’s political sunset is looming.”
Glaring reports indicate that Kwankwaso seems to be getting insecure and uneasy; he’s becoming more politically directionless in his utterances, beaming superficial grinning smiles, with none of his usual composure, while impromptu wrinkles replace the features on his innocent face.
This is synonymous with the Hausa proverb that says ‘Labarin Zuciya a Tambayi Fuska’.
Senator Kwankwaso’s political utterances are seen as a true reflection of the absorption of heated trauma resulting from the cross-carpeting of his mentee and seemingly his ex-loyalist, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
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It’s glaringly seen that the majority of the top-notch, party influencers, and ranks and files in the party have resorted to following the Governor to pitch the tent together in their new abode – APC.
The questions are: Why did Governor Abba, a loyalist nurtured and politically raised and polished by Kwankwaso, resort to dumping him for another party?
Why did most of the party loyalists leave Kwankwaso despite his domineering influence and follow Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf?
Some political observers believe it’s too early to predict Kwankwaso’s political twilight, citing his history of unpredictable, calculative moves in Kano politics.
Senator Kwankwaso asserts he’s not driven by money and his decisions aren’t influenced by financial gain, emphasizing his integrity and principles.
But what’s behind making such an ego-centric assertion?
With horse trading and intense negotiations underway for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s APC cross-carpeting, so does Kwankwaso struggles to decide his next move to sustain and immortalise his political future as the general elections of 2027 draw closer.
Is this a tactic to regain relevance in politics, given NNPP’s limitations?
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The Kano State and the nation at large watches as Kwankwaso’s stardom teeters – weakening or progressing?
Adamu Aminu writes from Kano.
