The contrast in political maturity between the former Governors of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Nasir El-Rufa’i, Kaduna State is striking. While Kwankwaso handled his challenges with a sense of responsibility, El-Rufa’i’s predicament is revealing his lack of maturity and accountability.
When Abdullahi Umar Ganduje turned against Kwankwaso at the start of his tenure in 2015 – 2023, Kwankwaso chose to step back, relocating to FCT, Abuja and distancing himself from Kano State politics. He refrained from making public remarks about Ganduje’s administration at that time, and his strategic absence earned him the respect of Kano residents during that critical period.
However, when he returned to Kano just before the 2023 elections, the people eagerly welcomed Kwankwaso, and his political movement received overwhelming support. Ultimately, he defeated All Progressive Congress APC led by Ganduje at the polls by a clear margin, only for El-Rufa’i when he’s in APC and his allies to deprive Kano of its rightful victory through the controversial “inconclusive election” tactic as it was alleged.
Now, El-Rufa’i is going around publicly criticizing Governor Uba Sani and his government, desperately seeking public sympathy. What he fails to realize is that people will soon tire of his complaints. He has overlooked the fundamental rule of power struggles: knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.
It would be fitting if El-Rufa’i experienced the same fate—defeating Governor Uba Sani in an election, only to have his victory snatched away at the collation center, just as he allegedly orchestrated in the 2019 Kano election.
Let this political opportunist learn his lesson in the hardest way possible.
By: Aminu Tukur Adam
