On Feb 23, Nigeria crossed the Red Sea with PMB leading the match out of the valley towards the mountain top. Two weeks later, it is clear that the battle is not over. The opposition is in hot pursuit. While the opposition held tight to PDP strongholds of SS and SE in the governorship elections, the same cannot be said of APC. On Mar 09, Oyo and Imo States fell into the hands of the advancing enemy troops. The battle for the APC strongholds of Kano, Sokoto, Adamawa and Bauchi States ended in a draw and an implied victory for the advancing enemy troops. We must not be mistaken in under estimating the strength of these counter attacks launched on all 6 geopolitical zones. IMO State in the SE, OYO State in the SW and Kano in the NW.
The focus of this article is on Kano State as we prepare for the second round of battle for the soul of Kano State. The March 09 counter attack on Kano State was adjudged by the empire, INEC, to be inconclusive because the margin of difference between active troops on both sides (20,000) was less than the total number of troops missing in action (>100,000).
Kano remains a big prize for the advancing enemy troops. A direct and ferocious assault on one of the strongest and most loyal PMB support base. There are over 5 millions bullets (pvc) at stake.
I have read and heard some PMB supporters claim that the outcome of the March 09 Governorship election in Kano is related to a “corruption video” against the Kano State General Officer Commanding, Dr Ganduje. The truth of the matter is that what is unfolding before us in “disguise” is an aggressive attempt by the opposition PDP to launch a direct assault on the Next Level agenda, dilute the gains of the Feb 23 victory and have access to a key strategic base to launch future attacks and inflict more damages.
The governorship election results in 6 states namely Kano, Sokoto, Bauchi, Adamawa, Benue and Plateau States had identical governorship election results. Almost a 50:50 voting result and inconclusive outcomes in the aforementioned states.
For those who claim the governorship election outcome in Kano State is a direct consequence of a “corruption video” against the Kano State GOC, my question is, do we also have “corruption videos” in Bauchi and Adamawa States. The answer is “NO”. What we see is a series of multi dimensional counter attacks by the opposition and no opportunity is spared to actualize the objectives of these counter attacks.
I align with the people of Kano in the cry for good governance and the fight against corruption. The people of Kano are known to vote en mass and speak with one voice towards a common objective. A 20,000 vote margin from a total vote of 2 million voters is not consistent with the voting pattern of the people of Kano State. What is at play here is grand politics by the opposition to take over Kano State by using a “corruption video” as a bait.
But we cannot afford to lose Kano State.
As we prepare for the rematch on 23 March, all hands must be on deck within legal activities and through the lawful use of pvcs to keep Kano State as an APC state for the next 4 years. In parallel, the investigations and legal processes and procedures to determine guilt or innocence vis a vis corruption video must be kept fully alive.
Kano State is a very important and strategic component of the Next Level agenda. The people of Kano State and Nigeria cannot afford to lose Kano to the launched counter attacks and advancing enemy troops.
In addition, Kano State is too important to be an opposition State. Kano State has always been one of the King maker States, a status superior to an opposition state.
In closing, the events of Mar 09 as seen in Kano State is beyond a “corruption video”. It is simply the result of a PDP led counter attack to claim what is perhaps the second largest electoral victory in Nigeria political contest, after the Presidential contest.
Kano State will not fall, Insha Allah and God willing.
*Femi Adegbulugbe, is a Buharist and proud citizen of Nigeria.
