A senior figure in the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Saddam Sani Umar, has warned that betraying the movement’s leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, can have severe consequences. Umar, who serves as the Kano State welfare secretary of the movement, pointed to the political downfall of former Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, as an example. Ganduje’s government suffered electoral defeat in 2019, and Umar attributes this to his betrayal of Kwankwaso.
The warning comes amidst speculation that current Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, may be considering a switch from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Kwankwaso, who is widely regarded as Yusuf’s political mentor, has publicly dismissed claims that he supported any plan for Yusuf to defect to the APC.
In an interview, Umar emphasized that Kwankwaso’s influence extends far beyond Kano State, describing him as a national political force. He stressed that history has shown that disloyalty to Kwankwaso leads to failure, citing the example of Ganduje’s government. Umar noted that despite having no councillors in government, Kwankwaso successfully installed Abba Yusuf as governor in 2023.
Umar argued that it would be shortsighted to believe that Kwankwaso would emerge as the loser in Kano’s political equation, given his proven track record. He explained that Kwankwaso had appointed Yusuf as a commissioner before backing him for the governorship, demonstrating his political strength. Umar stated that betraying Kwankwaso does not end well, and history proves it.
The development highlights the complex political landscape in Kano State, where loyalty and alliances play a significant role. As the speculation surrounding Governor Yusuf’s potential defection continues, Umar’s warning serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of betraying Kwankwaso. The situation is being closely watched, and the outcome may have significant implications for the political dynamics in the state. With Kwankwaso’s influence extending beyond Kano, the development may also have broader implications for national politics.
