…Along With Pres. Bola TINUBU
Have you noticed an interesting development taking place within the political space in the north? Have you noticed the new paradigm shift with the political class in the northern part of the country? Yes, there is a shift, and it is a phenomenal shift. This shift has changed the political trajectory of the north and their mythical hold and influence on power in the country. It has thrown up and brought to the fore so many new, vibrant and powerful northern leaders who now decide where the political pendulum swings in the north. Before now, it was the revered Emirs, retired senior northern Generals and former military rulers that decided who got what within the northern region and who ultimately becomes the President. But that is not the case anymore. The new powerful forces have taken over. They are the new order. They have gradually eased out the old political order in the north. These new and mostly young powerful northern leaders now call the shots. And it must be said that this massive paradigm shift in the northern political class was triggered by the emergence of the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Many political pundits have insisted that the old order of the northern political class never wanted to have Bola Tinubu emerge as the President. Their preference was either former Senate President Ahmed Lawan of the APC, or former vice President Atiku Abubakar of the PDP. They were not comfortable with relinquishing power to the south west or any other part of the country for that matter. The former APC national leader, Abdullahi Adamu, was pressured by the north’s powerful old order to ensure Lawan emerged the presidential candidate of the APC. But the mammoth support for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, led by these young and new powerful northern power brokers, truncated that desire. They stood by him through thick and thin. Even when it appeared all hope was lost and the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, had thrown his weight behind his vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, some of these emerging northern political leaders were part of the group that stormed Aso Rock to confront the former president. After Muhammadu Buhari assured them he had no special candidate, they left the Aso Villa and headed to the residence of the former APC national chairman, to confront him on the matter as well. In the end, they had their way. Today, their preferred choice, the man they all fought hard for to ensure he got the presidential ticket of the APC, is now the president of the federal republic of Nigeria.
Who are these new power brokers? When did they emerge on the scene? Which parts of the north are they from? City People Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290) takes a look at the emerging powerful forces within the northern region of the country who now call the shots.
One of the biggest emerging political forces from the north is the former governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje. He was one of those instrumental to the victory of the President, Bola Tinubu and has been an ally of Asiwaju for several years running. They both come a long way. As a matter of fact, when Ganduje had some bribery allegation issues that nearly ruined his political career years back, it was Asiwaju that came to his rescue. He was one of those who fought and pushed for the realization of Tinubu’s presidential ambition and also gathered as much northern support for him as possible.
If there is one northern politician right now whose voice and opinion is revered highly in the north, then it must be Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. He was the former governor of Kaduna State. He was also former FCT Minister. This gentleman has come of age. When he speaks, Emirs, former presidents, retired Generals, listen to him. He was also very close to former President Muhammadu Buhari. He became a celebrated Asiwaju supporter during those tension laden days leading to the APC Convention which produced Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the party’s flag bearer. He was named among the president’s ministerial nominees though he later turned down the offer. Without a doubt, he is one of the biggest emerging northern leaders at this time.
Former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, may have lost his second term bid as governor, but he has clearly entrenched himself as one of the new powerful northern leaders. He has come of age too. A staunch supporter of President Bola Tinubu and whom the president singled out for praise during his Acceptance speech after he was announced winner of the presidential election for his invaluable contributions to his electoral victory, Matawalle has become a powerful voice to reckon with in northern politics.
You also cannot dismiss from this list Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the former governor of Kebbi State. He is one of President Tinubu’s strongest allies. He is slowly making his mark as one of the emerging leaders to come from the northern part of the country.
Same with the highly loved and respected governor of Borno State, Babangana Zulum. He is one gentleman that is loved by many. He is a protégé of the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who was his boss while the vice president was governor of Borno State.
Former governor of Yobe State and one time national leader of the APC, Mala Buni, has also earned his dues. He is presently one of the respected emerging northern leaders. There is also Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Senator Abdulazziz Yari and Senator Ahmed Lawan. These three gentlemen have earned their place as three of the most respectful northern leaders at present.
But perhaps the most prominent of the new powerful northern leaders, and possibly the biggest too, is the vice president of the federal republic of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima. By virtue of his position as the vice President, he is without a doubt, the leader of the northern political leaders.
Another top northern leader is the former Speaker of Kano State House of Assembly, Hamisu Chidari. He declared support for Tinubu long before the elections were held. He also appears to have developed a long time relationship with Asiwaju that precedes his presidential ambition. Late last year, in October precisely, he publicly thanked Asiwaju for his immense contributions to his mother’s burial. He has told anyone who cares to listen that he would give everything within his power to ensure the Tinubu presidential project becomes a reality.
Lamido Sanusi, former CBN Governor and the 14th Emir of Kano is one of the prominent northern leaders right now. He is a strong force that nobody can dismiss within the northern political circle. He has been around for a while, but he has started to entrench himself as one of the most powerful voices to come from the northern part of the country. He recently visited the military Junta in Niger to have a private chat with him and he made that trip in his own capacity. He was not sent by the federal government, neither was the trip facilitated by the government. He is also a long time friend of Mr. President.
Aminu Bello Masari is the former governor of Katsina State. He has also been around for a while and has grown to become hugely respected within the political circle inside and outside the northern region. He is a known northern leader and a close ally of President Bola Tinubu. He was solidly behind him all through the campaign and election.
There are also some young governors who are also quickly emerging as one of the new young northern leaders. Regardless that they are young in office, when they speak, people listen to them because they have proven within a short while that they are worthy leaders. These young leaders are Ahmed Aliyu Governor of Sokoto State, Umar Namadi, Jigawa, Mai Malam Buni, Yobe, Idris Nasir, Kebbi, and Dr Dikko Radda, Katsina State.
The Emir of Katsina, Dr Abdulmuminin Kabir Usman, is also one powerful northern personality and monarch who is hugely respected by all and sundry. He is regarded as one of those qualified to speak for his people. Contrary to the wishes of the old order, he stood firmly behind Asiwaju. He also has never hidden his admiration and support for Asiwaju. He has said openly that there is no way he could work against the presidential ambition of the former Lagos Governor, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu considering his long-standing relationship with the Emirate which predates his ascension to the throne. He added that “we will look into whatever movement Asiwaju is into, where we will support where there is need to support and we will correct where necessary. I knew Tinubu when he was governor while I was district head and he has assisted me in many ways. Now that I am on the throne, he is contesting for president, tell me why I should disown him.”
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, is by far one of the biggest power brokers iin the North. Whatever he says goes. He is feared. He is respected. He is also a staunch supporter and friend of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed TInubu. Before the presidential election took place, the monarch declared his support for Tinubu and said that using the principles of justice and fairness, Tinubu was deserving of any position in Nigeria, including the oval office. The same goes for Tanko Yakassai, a founding member of the Arewa Consultative Forum. He is very respected in the north and his views and position on issues are considered very significant. He too openly made known his intentions to support Bola Tinubu. He said Bola Tinubu sought for his support for his presidential ambition and because he is a man he has always admired and respected, he decided to throw his weight behind Asiwaju. Yakasai also got the whole of the Arewa Consultative Forum to support Tinubu’s presidential bid.
Dr Abdulmuminin Jibrin was the former Director-General of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Support Groups Management Council (ABATSGMC). This young man has attracted lots of admiration owing to his brilliance and commitment to the development of the northern region. Despite that he relinquished his position and left the party for another party, he insists he has an undying love and admiration for Asiwaju beyond being the DG of his support groups. Openly, he stated that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress Asiwaju Bola Tinubu remains the best candidate for the 2023 presidency. Sometime last year, the former Lawmaker, while reacting to criticisms that the APC national leader is not of sound health and that his hands shake while talking, Jibrin reacted in a tweet: “Let his hands be shaking, he remains our choice. You cannot suffocate our democratic space. Go and mobilise support for your aspirants whose hands are not shaking.”
Another strong and emerging northern leader is the former governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sanni Bello. He is one of Asiwaju’s allies who openly endorsed his presidential ambition and vowed to do everything within his power to support him, regardless of whether the older northern leaders approved or not. Sanni Bello has never hidden his admiration for Asiwaju, they go both back a long way. When Bola Tinubu visited him sometime last year, the governor did not mince words when he declared: “Lagos is a country within a country and we saw the foundation you laid there. We are looking forward to seeing you replicate for Nigeria.”
The former governor of Nassarawa State, Sen. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura is a top northern politician of note that has emerged as one of the powerful leaders from that part of the country. He is highly respected. He too has a lot of confidence in the leadership capabilities of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led government. He personally visited Asiwaju in Lagos last year and also openly declared his support for his presidential aspirations. In the same vein, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alhassan Doguwa is also a recognised powerful northern voice and leader. He is known for always standing on the side of the truth. He also endorsed and supported the presidential aspirations of the President, Bola Tinubu. He said it is high time members of the House of Representatives elected under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) come together and support the presidential ambition of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. According to Doguwa, the former Lagos State Governor has assisted people to be president, governors and members of the national assembly, and it is now time to assist and support him too..
“The time to support Tinubu is now. He has supported people to be President, to be Governors, Senators, and reps members. He has paid his dues. We have no choice but to support him to achieve this lifelong ambition. The time to support him is now. “We will all be alive by 2023 when President Muhammadu Buhari will hand over to Bola Ahmed Tinubu. And today, the rest is history
Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Abubakar Fulata; Chairman, House Committee on the Army, Abdulrazak Namdas are two prominent members of the House of Reps who are two very strong voices and emerging northern leaders. They are also unwavering loyalists of Asiwaju. They were part of the northern delegation that travelled down to the UK while Asiwaju was there for medical treatment. The Commissioner for Water front Infrastructure Development, Arc. Ahmed Kabiru Abdullahi happens to be a Lagos State Commissioner, a feat he remains eternally grateful to Asiwaju for. Being a northerner, it would’ve been unthinkable that he could be part of the government and serve in that capacity, but that is exactly what the situation is.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara is another strong and emerging northern leader. His opinions are sought for on issues and he is highly respected by his people. A powerful voice. A strong ally of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They also have very strong ties together. Dogara has described Tinubu as a rare breed politician. Hear him: “You are indeed an astute politician, patriotic leader and democrat of high repute who has the track record of mentoring and supporting upcoming leaders to accomplish their dreams. I commend your courage in leadership and abiding faith in the ideals of democracy and the Nigerian project.”
Lately, popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi is also one of the new emerging and powerful northern leaders. He is revered by many. They don’t dismiss his opinions. He has also joined the growing list of northern leaders and politicians who have gradually taken over the mantle of leadership in the north from the old order.
– WALE LAWAL (08037209290)
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