By Tijjani Sarki
Recent calls for the reappointment of Hon. Muhammad Garba as Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs has sparked debate in Kano State. His supporters point to his eight years of service and describe him as an experienced professional whose return would benefit the government.
While I respect that view, I believe an important question deserves an answer, after serving for eight years in the same office, what exactly remains unfinished that necessitates a return?
This is not an attempt to diminish Hon. Garba’s contributions. Rather, it is a call for an objective assessment of performance. Public office should be judged by results, not sentiment.
Recent public discussions have repeatedly portrayed Hon. Muhammad Garba as a “professional,” as though that designation alone settles the debate. I respectfully disagree. Professionalism is not defined by the length of time spent in office, nor does it automatically flow from occupying a position for many years. It is reflected in innovation, measurable achievements, institutional growth, responsiveness to public concerns, and the capacity to deliver results. If professionalism is truly the benchmark, then the public deserves a fair comparison of records and accomplishments rather than a reliance on reputation or years of service. The debate, therefore, should be anchored on evidence, not labels.
Kano first
Instead of focusing on political developments, I suggest that Kano people compare records. Hon. Muhammad Garba had eight years to lead the ministry. Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya has had barely one and a half years. Yet within that short period, many observers have noted renewed activity within the ministry, especially in the often-overlooked Internal Affairs Department that was hitherto inactive and relegated to the background thereby rendering it dead by previous administrations until Waiya came in and salvaged the department from strangulation.
I have seen greater public engagement and a more visible ministry under the current leadership. Whether one agrees with every action taken by Waiya or not, the ministry appears more active and connected to the public.
For this reason, I would welcome an open public debate between the two Comrades. Let them present their achievements, challenges, and vision. The Ministry of Information is not only critical and central to governance rather it is at the same time the voice of government and should be led by the person best positioned to serve the public interest with commitment, dignity, competence and capacity.
Let the records speak. Let the people judge.
Tijjani Sarki writes from Kano and can be reached via responsivecitizensinitiative@gmail.com.