Anyone conversant with the politics of Nigeria can clearly identify that there are possibly just three national political blocs and of the three, Kano is the undisputed watering hole for all politicians who ever want to reach reckoning in today’s political calculations, regardless of their tribe or religion.
For Kano, it’s not just about numbers, but about a long history of political wokeness dating back to the days of Aminu Kano, through the days of Rimi and the Shekaraus of today. The ordinary man of Kano understands the need for clearly defined leadership and this is why election in Kano is always a big deal. It has been repeated in several fora that Kano people are the most politically advanced of all Nigerians and that could be putting it mildly.
Expectedly, this attributed political awareness of Kano people means that political juggernauts in the state are enthroned on the basis of meritorious service rather than enforced exigencies or underhanded political machinations. With Kano, leaders are not just rushed up the leadership ladder. There exists a system that tracks political growth through service to the people and dedication to the political party. Senator Barau, unarguably one the biggest, if not the biggest political juggernaut of Kano politics of today has climbed that ladder of political growth one rung after another to enter his current class.
Senator Barau’s steady rise to the top of Kano politics is not mere happenstance. It is, as many who know the Senator can attest to, the outcome of stellar academic credentials, a deep business mind and dutiful service to the people of Kano in every role he has ever held. It was no surprise that his election to the Senate was one of the easiest in 2015 and 2019. His was so overwhelming that his opponents could not contemplate even the academic visit to the tribunal.
Senator Barau is very particular about everything he does. From his education where he holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting, master’s certificate in Financial Management and pricing, master’s certificate in Management and Masters of business Administration (MBA); and, certificate in Financial Management for business decisions from the prestigious Cornell University, United States; to his work history, everything has been carefully garnered.
His work career started in Kano where he was employed briefly in the Kano Foundation before opting to start what is today a very flourishing business empire. His foray into politics started in 1999 where he contested and won the state house representatives seat for Tarauni federal constituency, serving as the House committee chairman on appropriation. He went back to his business after two terms in NASS before making a comeback in 2015 where he contested and won the Senate seat of the Kano North Senatorial district.
In between his House Representatives appearance and his senate comeback, he serve first as the chairman of the Kano state Investment and Property Ltd, before returning to serve our dear state as the commissioner of science and technology.
From the foregoing, it becomes clear that Senator Barau is an embodiment of the two things that define the people of Kano – Business and Politics. He climbed steadily and diligently and has excelled in both. And it is perhaps the chief reason why kingmakers, regardless of their party or circle of affiliation have identified him as the next best option for Kano come 2023.
As a senator, he stands out and as a party member, his dedication stands him out. He, alongside party heavyweights in Kano like Shekarau have elected to stand firm and with the truth. They have preferred to entrench intraparty democracy and promote equity, fairness why entrenching a level playing ground for all party members.
And, not even the antics of losers to resort to violence, leading to the torching of his campaign office has been able to deter or force him into beating any kind of retreat. The most important thing in the journey of Senator Barau is his romance with the people. They know, that he has never embarked on any venture except if it benefits them.
Therefore, as the frontline candidate for the fast approaching 2023 election, there’s need for the people of resist any form of intimidation from people who rode the kind of cult followership that Barau is enjoying to power. All attempts to introduce thuggery and uncivilized practices to the exemplary history of Kano politics must be resisted. The people’s senator has been identified as a colossus of Kano politics and as always, has offered himself for service. This the time for well meaning indigenes of Kano to own his ambition if just to sustain the very rich democratic culture of Kano.
Musa writes from Kaduna
