Abba Anwar
When the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON, spoke at the Kano Emir’s Palace, to Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, yesterday, during his Sallah visit and condolence over the death of the Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, what readily came to mind was Ganduje’s peaceful posture and his Ambassadorial position of peace and tranquility.
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He opened his speech with this “We are here for condolence over the death of Galadiman Kano. This is a great loss not only to Kano or North, but to the entire nation.
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We also want use this opportunity to rejoice with you on Sallah occasion. Barka da Sallah. To thank you and commend you for aborting danger especially when crisis was about to erupt when court ordered that status-quo ante be maintained.”
To remind my readers, it was Ganduje, when he was governor, who was instrumental in reconciling between Northern Youth Groups and Igbo communities across the 19 Northern states. When youth issued quit notice to all Igbos across the 19 Northern states.
He convened a grand reconciliation meeting in Kano, with the leadership of those groups and all Igbo leaders across Northern Nigeria. Within two days of genuine discussions and transparent deliberations, Nigeria was saved from falling into disastrous national ethnic crisis.
National tragedy was avoided. Kudos to our detribalized and patriotic political leader. Ganduje Dan Kishi Kasa Da Kishin Kano!
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No wonder, that and similar patriotic efforts paved many corridors for him to be highly recognized by all sections of the country, as a true leader of substance and indisputable peace maker.
Part of such recognition was when he was conferred with the traditional title of Aguna Echemba 1 of Igbo Land (A lion who protects his territory and his people).
At the Emir’s Palace, the National Chairman commended Emir Bayero for being an acknowledged lover of peace.
While making reference to the recent cancelation of Sallah Durbar and many other outdoor Sallah celebrations, even before our respected law enforcers, the Nigeria Police, banned all Sallah festivities of horse riding.
He said, “Based on court ruling (of maintaining status-quo ante) the legitimate Emir who supposed to organize and engage in Hawan Sallah, Durbar inclusive, is Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the Emir of Kano.
But because there was commotion – like situation, His Highness, the Emir accepted the advice of our respected religious leaders and other well meaning Kano people, he canceled Hawan Sallah. He didn’t want to see a drop of blood being wasted.”
With these and similar notes, Baba Ganduje, not only encouraging the Emir, to remain steadfast in promoting peaceful coexistence in Kano, but at the same time, he helped the Emir to further recollect the role of traditional institutions in promoting peace and tranquility.
When he was governor, he included, very deeply, with brain exercises and committed commitment, traditional rulers, in what turned out to be dedicated community policing via Peace Summits across the five Emirates in the state and whisking away rivalry between security agencies. Where all the security agencies saw themselves as partners not rivals.
Good and effective security system was one of the ultimate feats achieved during his administration. I urge my readers to make an enquiry about this from all the security agencies in the state.
He requested the then administration of Muhammadu Buhari to turn the popular hide – out of organized crimes like cattle rustling, banditry, armed robbery, among others, Falgore forest, into military training ground. Before he left office, thousands and thousands of military were trained there. The forest was no longer a safe heaven for criminals. I don’t know of now.
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It was at that material point in time, cattle rustling became a thing of the past in Kano. Clashes between communities especially within the metropolis, popularly known as Fadan Daba, subsided greatly. With little or no leftover in many areas. What is obtainable now is left for my readers to beam their searchlight.
We were all living witnesses that, Ganduje labored hard to maintain peace and security in Kano during his tenure.
It could be a deliberate misunderstanding or mere personal hatred for any one to think that he (Ganduje) would now deconstruct or assist in the deconstruction of the security system he conceived, labored and gave birth to.
My boss carries along with him peace, peace and peace anywhere he goes.
When he was Deputy Governor to Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso for eight years, no trace of open quarrel or clash between him and Kwankwaso throughout Kwankwaso’s two terms in office.
Attitudes hardly spotted in Deputies. Damo Sarkin Hakuri with all political calculus coming to our mind.
When he was governor, Kano experienced the sweetness of peace and security all along. Just like no other.
He was acknowledged both and outside the country. Community policing reached nadir position.
He was an icon and full-fledged Ambassador of Peace and Tranquility. A detribalised political leader.
As a flagship of peace and modern security, at the comfort of his office as a governor, he could see what was happening in Falgore forest on television screen.
That technology was linked to offices of some security agencies. He built technology hub/sophisticated control room, for crime detection, at Police headquarters, Bompai.
As he equipped and commissioned modern security Centre at Rijiyar Zaki for effective policing purposes.
To protect Kano from outside infiltration by criminals, Ganduje administration established Security Domitories in all the exits of the state capital.
That helped much in detecting movements of the underdogs. Apart from technology monitoring system installed in security head offices in the state. Many abducted people from other states were rescued from their abductors in Kano.
So I wonder, when handful few describe him as crisis loving political leader.
As the National Chairman of the ruling APC he brings peace and understanding within the National Working Committee and all other stages of the party leadership. Down to chapters. What more do we need from this gentleman with gentle soul and gentle approach to issues?
Madallah da Baba Ganduje Dan Kishin Kasa Dan Kishin Kano!!!
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Anwar was Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State and can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com
Sunday April 6th, 2025