Chairman of the Kano State New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), Alhaji (Dr.) Hashim Dungurawa, speaks to KOLA OYELERE, on the claim of the former ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that the People yearn for his return to power in the state. , dismissal of the Secretary to the State Government and some commissioners by Governor Yusuf:
There is a lot of talk in Kano State politics regarding the current realignment between politicians of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP). How do you perceive the development, given the history of Kano politics?
Politics is like that. It will be remembered that no condition is permanent and this notion is applicable to everything in life, however, we thank Almighty Allah that the State identifies itself with a type of policy by joining the number of people of notable personalities, from the First Republic, the Second. Republic. and so on, like the late Malam Aminu Kano, Abubalkar Rimi, Alhaji Aminu Wali, Abba Bankin Zuwo and Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as others who cannot be mentioned, who were still gaining prominence in Nigerian politics and here in Kano. Take it or leave it, realignment is a tradition in politics. Every time the elections are over, you will see people realigning, coming together and brainstorming to see how, when and what to do to make things work for them; the direction to advance politically. This movement from one party to another is normal in politics. People like to move with others who they perceive are in tune with their brand of politics. However, the most important thing is to move forward with the right kind of people who can make progress in terms of political ideas.
To what extent is the APC seriously in contention for control of Kano Politics after the 2023 elections?
Many people were surprised at how our party, the NNPP, unseated the ruling APC, despite the federal power. But what I can tell you is that in life or in politics, determination, hard work, effort and courage lead to success. We, as members of the Kwankwasiyya group, the political movement of our mentor, Alhaji (Dr.) Kwankwaso, were determined and worked tirelessly to ensure that the people who gave us their mandate did not suffer. We will continue to satisfy your desires and aspirations when it comes to generating dividends of democracy. That is why it is necessary that we continue to empower the people, sustain democracy, take development to the grassroots and provide good infrastructure facilities that will make the State bigger. Allah Almighty is helping us to achieve what we thought to achieve.
When we came to power in 1999, as a Kwankwasiyya movement, there was nothing like flyovers, streetlights or underpasses and road markings. But we thank God and can beat our chests because Kwankwasiyya has done a lot to improve the development of the state. In fact, Kwankwasiyya has done a lot in terms of education, infrastructure and agriculture. Kano, being a commercial hub, Kwankwasiyya has achieved a pragmatic improvement: whenever the history of the city is written in the future, the name Kwankwasiyya will be written in gold and can never be forgotten.
We will continue to do well; that is our goal because it is our mission, the reason we are in charge; We don't see it as something magical or a miracle. Before we came to power, you could count the number of teachers in Kano. But now, with Kwankwasiyya in power, thousands can be counted. We can now see a large number of doctors, whereas earlier there were only 200 in the 44 local government areas of the state. With Kwankwasiyya in power, we now have many of them and there is hardly a household without a PhD holder. Now, the question of the number of master's degree holders is no longer an issue. Every house now has degree and master's degree holders and more are on the way by the grace of God because we believe in education, infrastructure, agriculture, commerce and we are doing things for the betterment of our people as the teeming masses pray for we. Therefore, no party can dislodge us, since the people do not want to be associated with failure.
Contrary to what you claim, the APC in particular claims that the NNPP has failed the people, which is why it is interested in bringing about a change in the Government House in the next election.
! I am very sorry to use these words that what happened in Kano State in 1999 was a pattern of gerrymandering voting and all that. But at the end of the day, our party or group is always the last man standing. From the moment Dr. Kwankwaso came to power, grassroots people have rallied around him in whatever political party he belongs to. You saw the trend in 2003: many things happened that caused Dr. Kwankwaso to lose the election to former governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau. Kwankwaso, who has passion and love for Kano, accepted defeat. He obtained more than 540,000 votes in 1999 and in 2003 he also obtained 859,000 votes; he was defeated but also congratulated Malam Ibrahim Shekarau. His opponent, however, ruined everything and had nothing to show in terms of good governance and service to the people in his eight years of administration; nothing tangible to show. Let me tell you this, the public in the state has seen the difference and they are not willing to associate themselves with another political party because they can see laudable projects executed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, a true Kwankwasiyya movement. ambassador.
Quote me anywhere, the current administration is operating at the same pace as the people of Kano. We are doing what they like and want. We will continue to do the right thing and with what is on the ground, no party will be able to defeat us in 2027. All I can tell you is that there are no vacancies in Kano but there are vacancies in Aso Rock for Dr. Kwankwaso to fill. .
What are the likely immediate and long-term impacts and implications of the removal of the Secretary to the State Government and other senior officials by the State Governor in the run-up to the upcoming elections in the State?
Former SSG Dr Bappar Bichi was not the only member to be removed during the recent cabinet reshuffle. Some commissioners were also dismissed during the year. Cabinet reshuffling is normal in any administration. It happened in Lagos, Oyo, Kaduna, Katsina and other states in the country. However, perhaps it is your destiny to reach a higher position in life. However, if someone decides to leave the party, we will pray for them. We will continue to pray that the incumbent governor continues to do more for the people of the state in terms of executing friendly projects capable of touching the lives of the people.
Some of the commissioners who were dismissed have been re-elected and assigned to other ministries. Perhaps the removed SSG can get another political portfolio in the future; anything can happen. However, the former SSG is still our member. All we know is that we are working for the people of Kano and our people appreciate it equally and have decided to be with us, come sunshine, come rain. There are no tremors.
Does your party still have a chance of getting the large number of votes it got in the 2023 general elections in Kano State and why?
You are from Ibadan in Oyo State and Yoruba by tribe, but with the number of years you have spent in Kano, I am sure you know that Kano will remain under the Kwankwasiyya movement or whatever party our mentor, Dr. belongs to. Kwankwaso, because the party the leader belongs to is the NNPP. Definitely, no one from this state or any other party can defeat us in 2027, mark my word! They had tried separately, we have defeated them separately; We will not get tired and we will continue to beat them. Don't pay attention to them, they are just making noise. Let me tell you that they are all expired politicians desperately seeking relevance, but not knowing that the grassroots people know their antics and will therefore continue to vote against them. We have concerns about the state of Kano. The many young people, women, widows and even students are with us. They have identified themselves with Abba Gida-Gida, our able governor, for the many laudable projects he has been executing and the people will continue to rally behind us.
Recently, Governor Yusuf had gifted about two million uniforms to public school students. In addition, more than 1,001 students have graduated with various scholarships abroad. The state government has built more than 879,000 classrooms across the state. The governor is doing very well and we will continue to do very well. As I said before, there is no vacancy in Kano Government House, but there is in Aso Rock for Dr. Kwankwaso to replace President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in 2027, by the grace of God.
What will be your performance rating of the NNNP state administration vis-à-vis the APC as the ruling party in the past and why?
First of all, we thank Almighty God for all that our capable Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Abba Gida-Gida, has been doing. It has been executing laudable and friendly projects. Recently, it paid over N16 billion in pensions and gratuities to retirees. It also paid WAEC and NECO fees for many students; paid a huge amount of money as registration fees for students in tertiary institutions and has provided a good network in all the 44 local government areas of the state. Last week, Governor Yusuf was in Dawakin-Kudu to commission the 5km road started by Dr Kwankwaso but abandoned by Dr Ganduje's administration. The commissioning of the highway would improve the transportation system. The governor has repositioned agriculture with the provision of sale of subsidized fertilizers to farmers.
Many infrastructure and development projects are coming up in the 44 local government areas of the state; Urbanization is reducing because many youths and people who come to the state capital now stay in their respective local government areas to enjoy what the current administration has done for them. Furthermore, companies and individuals paid their taxes, because they were convinced that the taxes they paid were used judiciously by the government. However, if I continued to mention what the Kwankwasiyya movement under the able leadership has done in just two years of Abba Gida-Gida, we would not finish this interview. Therefore, considering the ongoing projects executed in the state by Governor Alhaji Yusuf, God has helped him to do so, however, the vast masses, who were praying for him to succeed, I can conveniently grant 99.99 percent to Governor Yusuf. like his performance so far.
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