BY YAHAYA KANA ONZONU
The governance style in Nigeria, especially in some states, is increasingly becoming a spectacle of contradictions and short-sighted decisions. One such comedy is the recent developments surrounding the Masallacin Eid prayer ground in Kano, highlighting how political decisions can sometimes be more about optics and less about substance.
Last year, when Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf assumed office in Kano, one of his most publicised actions was the demolition of shops at the Masallacin Eid prayer ground. The rationale behind this decision was the claim that the previous administration, led by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, had illegally allocated the sacred space to cronies. In justifying that wanton destruction of businesses, Governor Yusuf positioned himself as a protector of religious sanctity, declaring that no commercial activity should be allowed in the area, effectively consecrating the space as holy ground. This move was lauded by some as a moral and religious stand, even the voices of others criticised it as an excessive and unnecessary act of political vindictiveness was swallowed by the overpowering din what was thought to be patriotism.
Indeed, the demolition did not go uncontested. The Incorporated Trustees of Masallacin Eid Shop Owners and Traders Association took the state government to court, seeking damages for the loss of their businesses. The case, which could have been a prolonged legal battle, was eventually settled out of court, with the state government agreeing to pay ₦3 billion in compensation to the affected traders. The settlement which was welcomed by the business owners, seemed to be an acknowledgment of the traders’ legitimate claims to the space, contradicting the initial narrative that the shops were illegally allocated.
Fast forward to the present, and the narrative has taken a sharp turn. The same governor who once declared the land as holy and off-limits to commercial activities has now started reallocating and selling spaces in the same area to interested business owners. Reports indicate that the prices for these allocations range from ₦80,000 to ₦1,000,000, depending on the location within the prayer ground. The process, which has been described as a brisk business, is being overseen by government officials, including a senior special assistant to the governor on the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA), Abba Yaro, and the senior special assistant II on markets, Isa Wise.
The irony of this situation cannot be embellished enough. Governor Yusuf’s initial claim that the previous administration had handed out the prayer ground to cronies now appears to be a facade. The recent reallocations suggest that the real issue was not the sanctity of the land, but rather who controls the lucrative business opportunities in the area. The new allocations, which reportedly involve party faithful and government officials, indicate that the governor’s administration is simply replacing the former cronies with its own, turning the supposed holy ground into a marketplace for rewarding allies.
This development has left many of the governor’s hitherto wide-eyed supporters disillusioned. Those who had defended the demolition on the grounds that the space was being preserved for religious purposes now find themselves grappling with the realisation that the sanctity argument was merely a convenient pretext. The governor’s actions have exposed the hollowness of the moral high ground he once claimed, revealing a governance style that is more concerned with political expediency than with principled decision-making.
To boot, this is not the first time Governor Yusuf has walked back on a high-profile decision. His earlier move to re-merge the Kano emirate, only to later split it again and appoint new, albeit demoted, emirs, further underline a pattern of governance marked by inconsistency and a lack of long-term vision. It’s sad that just over one year into office, Governor Kabir has engaged in actions that do little to inspire confidence in his administration’s ability to govern effectively and with integrity.
This reallocation of the Masallacin Eid prayer ground to friendly businesses is emblematic of the broader challenges facing governance in Nigeria today. It reflects a political culture where decisions are often driven by short-term interests rather than by genuine concern for the public good. The people of Kano, and indeed Nigerians as a whole, deserve better than leaders who prioritise personal and political gain over the principles they claim to uphold. The Masallacin Eid episode should serve as a wake-up call to voters who are easily sold on some wild ideals. The importance of accountability and the need for a governance style that is consistent, transparent, and truly committed to the welfare of the people cannot be overemphasized.
Sadly, the episode we have in Kano, driven as it were by a young governor in whom so much trust was invested is fast pushing neutrals to the edge of despair. Who knows what the next Governor of Kano will do in defence of their personal interest?…
Onzonu writes from Eloyi Mba-odama, in Nasarawa!
