Kano 2011: The imperatives of programme-oriented politics
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- Written by Mohammed Abubakar Fagge
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By its vast size and population, Kano State is unarguably one of the most complex states to govern. It has been expanding commercially and in terms of industrial growth, until recently when the ill though out and badly implemented economic policies of the former Obasanjo administration began to produce adverse effects on industries in the state. Kano State is historically a famous centre of trade and commerce. However, such achievement is currently under threat as the federal government’s harsh economic policies began to take a toll on businessmen in the state. As industries began to collapse, businessmen and women began to be thrown into uncertainty while the workers they employed also face a bleak future. The collapse of the textile industry is one of the most frightening dimensions of this economic and social stress.
With the apparent steady decline of Nigeria’s electric power generating capacity since 1999, despite the 10 billion dollars purportedly spent on improving power in the country, industries in Kano State are among the worst hit. Industrialization is the key to economic development and power is a major component of national infrastructure. Since it is impossible for the government to employ everybody because of limited resources, majority of the people of Kano State depend on commerce and agriculture to earn a living. Therefore, the collapse of industries due to harsh economic policies and the near total collapse of national infrastructure are significantly bound to affect the people of Kano State.
Any political aspirant seeking to take over from Governor Ibrahim Shekarau in 2011 must not lose sight of this ugly reality. Effective leadership depends on adequate preparation by identifying challenges in advance and planning strategies on how to take them. Most people in Kano State are particularly impressed by strategies of Mohammed Abacha, a PDP gubernatorial aspirant for the 2011 election in Kano State. The young politician appears to understand these challenges by the kind of initiatives he has taken so far.
The man is proactive in his approach to politics. For example, he has set up various advisory committees of experts to study these challenges and draw up a blue print on how to tackle them successfully. In addition, he invited experts from the United States to carry out feasibility studies on how to improve the quality of water and power supply to the people of Kano State when elected into office. The fact that Mohammed Abacha didn’t wait until he comes to office before he confronts these challenges is in itself a good sign that he planned well for the task ahead.
Indeed, the way this gubernatorial aspirant is going about his ambition clearly shows that he is driven by the passion for service. Despite the riches of their family, the Kennedy brothers went into politics as a means of offering service to the people. No matter how rich you are, you have to seek elective office in order to serve the people in a bigger way by having direct control over the apparatus of government and its policies. Once you are outside government, you can’t implement much in terms of bringing physical development and the socio-economic advancement of the people.
Mohammed Abacha has disarmed many critics who had initially dismissed his aspiration. It is now, however, clear to all that he means business because he seems determined to implement people-oriented policies once the voters of Kano State decide to give him their mandate. The fact that he is using his personal resources to invite experts to advise him on how to improve the social, economic and material progress of the people of Kano State is itself a significant indication that he is not seeking the office for the sake of it. Public offices should be entrusted to those who are seriously committed to the task of bringing development. And Mohammed Abacha has so far convinced many that he is genuinely committed to service by seeking to succeed Mallam Ibrahim Shakarau in 2011.
It is also interesting to remark that the people of Kano State are taking notice of Mohammed Abacha’s approach to tackling the challenges facing Kano State. Recently, for example, a delegation of businessmen had visited his campaign office to pledge their support for his ambition and identifying with the initiative he has taken so far to deal with the economic challenges facing Kano State. In his short speech, the leader of the delegation, Alhaji Danladi Yahaya Mai Mai, recalled that Kano State was once famous as a hub of economic activity. He, however, regretted that today, businesses are facing mortal threats because of the harsh operating economic environment. For according priority to industrial resuscitation and revival of active commercial activities, he praised Mohammed Abacha for this wonderful vision. He said every businessman in Kano State is proud that Mohammed Abacha has identified the basic challenges facing Kano State and his adequate commitment to tackle them.
In particular, the delegation was impressed by Mohammed Abacha’s strategies to confront these challenges head on when elected into office in 2011. According to the leader of the delegation, the involvement of experts by Mohammed to advise him on how to implement strategies for development has endeared the aspirant to the people of Kano State.
Such solidarity visits also came from the Fagge “B” ward, Mohammed’s primary constituency. A large delegation of supporters from the area had visited Mohammed Abacha to reassure him of their absolute confidence in him. According to them, Mohammed Abacha has shown open preparation to work for the welfare of the people. They were particularly impressed by the fact that Mohammed Abacha is pursing politics of conviction and gentle persuasion rather than intimidation and blackmail. Indeed, this is one aspect of his personal qualities that endears him to the people of Kano State. He believes that aspirants who abuse others have nothing to offer. His philosophy is that if you are a serious politician, you should win the hearts and minds of the people through the quality of your programmes and your ability to implement them when elected. Mohammed Abacha believes that violence and intimidation are primitive weapons of politics. And to impress this point home, he always advises his supporters to eschew violence and personal abuses against perceived rivals. His gentleman’s approach to politics is one of the secrets of his popularity among the people.
Fagge writes from 85, Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Utako District, Jabi Abuja.
E-mai; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Articles
Kano 2011: The imperatives of programme-oriented politics
Category: Comments Written by Mohammed Abubakar Fagge Hits: 1004
By its vast size and population, Kano State is unarguably one of the most complex states to govern. It has been expanding commercially and in terms of industrial growth, until recently when the ill though out and badly implemented economic policies of the former Obasanjo administration began to produce adverse effects on industries in the state. Kano State is historically a famous centre of trade and commerce. However, such achievement is currently under threat as the federal government’s harsh economic policies began to take a toll on businessmen in the state. As industries began to collapse, businessmen and women began to be thrown into uncertainty while the workers they employed also face a bleak future. The collapse of the textile industry is one of the most frightening dimensions of this economic and social stress.
With the apparent steady decline of Nigeria’s electric power generating capacity since 1999, despite the 10 billion dollars purportedly spent on improving power in the country, industries in Kano State are among the worst hit. Industrialization is the key to economic development and power is a major component of national infrastructure. Since it is impossible for the government to employ everybody because of limited resources, majority of the people of Kano State depend on commerce and agriculture to earn a living. Therefore, the collapse of industries due to harsh economic policies and the near total collapse of national infrastructure are significantly bound to affect the people of Kano State.
Any political aspirant seeking to take over from Governor Ibrahim Shekarau in 2011 must not lose sight of this ugly reality. Effective leadership depends on adequate preparation by identifying challenges in advance and planning strategies on how to take them. Most people in Kano State are particularly impressed by strategies of Mohammed Abacha, a PDP gubernatorial aspirant for the 2011 election in Kano State. The young politician appears to understand these challenges by the kind of initiatives he has taken so far.
The man is proactive in his approach to politics. For example, he has set up various advisory committees of experts to study these challenges and draw up a blue print on how to tackle them successfully. In addition, he invited experts from the United States to carry out feasibility studies on how to improve the quality of water and power supply to the people of Kano State when elected into office. The fact that Mohammed Abacha didn’t wait until he comes to office before he confronts these challenges is in itself a good sign that he planned well for the task ahead.
Indeed, the way this gubernatorial aspirant is going about his ambition clearly shows that he is driven by the passion for service. Despite the riches of their family, the Kennedy brothers went into politics as a means of offering service to the people. No matter how rich you are, you have to seek elective office in order to serve the people in a bigger way by having direct control over the apparatus of government and its policies. Once you are outside government, you can’t implement much in terms of bringing physical development and the socio-economic advancement of the people.
Mohammed Abacha has disarmed many critics who had initially dismissed his aspiration. It is now, however, clear to all that he means business because he seems determined to implement people-oriented policies once the voters of Kano State decide to give him their mandate. The fact that he is using his personal resources to invite experts to advise him on how to improve the social, economic and material progress of the people of Kano State is itself a significant indication that he is not seeking the office for the sake of it. Public offices should be entrusted to those who are seriously committed to the task of bringing development. And Mohammed Abacha has so far convinced many that he is genuinely committed to service by seeking to succeed Mallam Ibrahim Shakarau in 2011.
It is also interesting to remark that the people of Kano State are taking notice of Mohammed Abacha’s approach to tackling the challenges facing Kano State. Recently, for example, a delegation of businessmen had visited his campaign office to pledge their support for his ambition and identifying with the initiative he has taken so far to deal with the economic challenges facing Kano State. In his short speech, the leader of the delegation, Alhaji Danladi Yahaya Mai Mai, recalled that Kano State was once famous as a hub of economic activity. He, however, regretted that today, businesses are facing mortal threats because of the harsh operating economic environment. For according priority to industrial resuscitation and revival of active commercial activities, he praised Mohammed Abacha for this wonderful vision. He said every businessman in Kano State is proud that Mohammed Abacha has identified the basic challenges facing Kano State and his adequate commitment to tackle them.
In particular, the delegation was impressed by Mohammed Abacha’s strategies to confront these challenges head on when elected into office in 2011. According to the leader of the delegation, the involvement of experts by Mohammed to advise him on how to implement strategies for development has endeared the aspirant to the people of Kano State.
Such solidarity visits also came from the Fagge “B” ward, Mohammed’s primary constituency. A large delegation of supporters from the area had visited Mohammed Abacha to reassure him of their absolute confidence in him. According to them, Mohammed Abacha has shown open preparation to work for the welfare of the people. They were particularly impressed by the fact that Mohammed Abacha is pursing politics of conviction and gentle persuasion rather than intimidation and blackmail. Indeed, this is one aspect of his personal qualities that endears him to the people of Kano State. He believes that aspirants who abuse others have nothing to offer. His philosophy is that if you are a serious politician, you should win the hearts and minds of the people through the quality of your programmes and your ability to implement them when elected. Mohammed Abacha believes that violence and intimidation are primitive weapons of politics. And to impress this point home, he always advises his supporters to eschew violence and personal abuses against perceived rivals. His gentleman’s approach to politics is one of the secrets of his popularity among the people.
Fagge writes from 85, Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Utako District, Jabi Abuja.
E-mai; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.