Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has nominated the elder son of his political godfather and the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for a commissioner position in his cabinet.
Additionally, Yusuf has re-nominated the sacked commissioner for land and physical planning, Adamu Aliyu Kibiya, who had previously threatened the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal judges in Kano, for reappointment as commissioner.
Daily Trust reports that the governor has written to the assembly seeking confirmation of the appointment of the nominees. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai.
The nominees include Adamu Aliyu Kibiya, Abdul-Jabbar Umar Garki, Shehu Usman Aliyu Karaye, and Mustapha Rabiu Musa. The governor also notified the House of the creation of new ministries.
“In a notification letter addressed to the Kano State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt Hon Jibrin Ismail Falgore, and read before the members of the House, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf said the establishment of the ministries of humanitarian affairs and poverty eradication, solid minerals resources, power and renewable energy, and internal security and special services will be part of his administration’s plans to improve efficiency and performance in the state,” the statement reads.
According to the governor, the new ministries would significantly improve socio-economic activities and the delivery of good governance, putting the state in a prime position for sustainable development.
The screening of the nominees has been scheduled for April 2nd.
The development has, however, elicited divergent reactions among supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement. While some have criticised the move, others have welcomed it.
One government appointee, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed concern, stating, “The governor has deeply involved his family members in the government, and Oga (Kwankwaso) too is bringing his own son. It’s not good at all. My biggest fear is that they will embarrass the government and themselves. This is what we were accusing the previous government of, and we are now doing worse.”
Another supporter, Kabiru Shehu (not real name), said, “If this is really true, then I cannot even go into my neighbourhood today (Tuesday) because I will have to close my ears in shame. What is this? Are they not afraid of public backlash at all? Our government cannot stand a complete month or two without anything that will put it out there in the public eye. It’s honestly disappointing.”
However, a Senior Special Reporter to the Governor in the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Sunusi Garko, posted on his Facebook page, “I felt really good seeing the name of Oga’s son in the list of commissioner nominees. It is our hope to see someone who will inherit Oga. May God give us the courage to be good followers.”
Also, Jikan Oga, another Facebook user and a die-hard supporter of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, said, “This government is Kwankwaso’s company. There is a manager, assistant manager, other staff, labourers and messengers.”
Reacting to the development, the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, when contacted by our reporter, said, “They’re all eminently qualified to serve as cabinet members. They’re Nigerians and possess the required qualifications and experience to serve as commissioners and represent the youth. All of them are below the age of 40; this is part of His Excellency’s social inclusion policy.”
