…The calibre of politicians in the team is far beyond confrontation.
By Shariff Aminu Ahlan
I sometimes wonder who, in his right state of mind and with sound judgment, would ever hallucinate the idea of Barau Jibril losing in this titanic political competition. I wonder about the narrow-minded and myopic politicians who believe they can create an upset. Imagine political dreamers who strongly perceive the possibility of truncating the Senator’s political might and influence. Then there are the blindfolded haters who think they can connive with the opposition to stop the rampaging, speeding political train whose destination may one day surpass everyone’s imagination. To think or dream of defeating this political maestro would always remain an illusion and a mirage.
The formation and official presentation of Barau Jibril’s Kano North political campaign team, considering the calibre of politicians in the group, is enough to send every perceived enemy, real or imaginary, into delusional confusion and outright surrender. The team possesses the political strength, experience and capacity required to fight and succeed in virtually any electoral contest, not just the Senate, but even the Presidency—and confidently expect victory.
One cannot easily pinpoint a politician who would not only have to battle the opposition team but also contend with hidden conspirators from within the same party, as well as external forces that may gang up, plan, plot and employ various means to realise their dream of blocking his return to the top echelon of power and prestige. Yet the target is none other than one of the most accomplished, highly achieving, powerful and influential politicians of his generation, Senator Barau Jibril Maliya. But the master is always millions of miles ahead of them. He has the opposition at a stark disadvantage and, because of the enormous difference in political experience and capacity, would also be capable of politically defeating and embarrassing any internal elements who may pursue such a misguided and dubious ambition.
One can confidently beat one’s chest with pride and certainty that the Senator possesses the political capacity to defeat the entire bunch of political dreamers. However, politics and its factual rules of engagement require every contestant to form, design and assemble a team of political associates and trusted allies capable of advancing a common agenda.
As such, going through the list of die-hard and formidable political figures assigned the responsibility of executing the much-anticipated political battle, one can vividly state that their virtues, political mastery, antecedents, proven records and massive followership make the campaign team exceptionally formidable. The team is simply difficult to match, and no serious political opponent should underestimate such a unique group of political warriors determined to ensure the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Barau Jibril and all other APC candidates.
While the major opposition, in what appears to be a delusional political calculation, has deliberately sacrificed a loyal politician without sufficient political experience and established political antecedents, in the person of Nasiru Sule Garo, to confront the Senator in the electoral contest, it is difficult not to wonder about the political logic behind such a decision. If unconfirmed reports suggesting that some members of the same political camp and external forces are secretly supporting the perceived opponent are anything to go by, such a conspiracy would still be politically irrelevant and potentially suicidal. It would be nothing more than an attempt to create an upset where the political realities appear overwhelmingly tilted in the other direction.
The powerful campaign team is ready to confront every political challenge and expose every misplaced political calculation by anyone who may develop the delusional confidence of creating an upset. Despite the exceptional mastery of the political game attributed to the globally recognised Senator, the formidable campaign team is equally rich in political strategy, experience and proven records. Together, they are expected to mount a formidable campaign capable of overwhelming the opposition and their perceived collaborators.
The battle, therefore, may ultimately turn into what political observers could describe as a walkover, leaving the dreamers to face the consequences of their calculations and, perhaps, another painful political defeat that could haunt their ambitions for years to come.
Moreover, one need not dwell extensively on the Senator’s achievements, political influence, impact and contributions towards the development of not only his constituency but the nation at large. His political record and influence have already become central features of the argument surrounding the contest. From this perspective, it would be extremely difficult for any politician to confidently dream of stopping the Senator in an electoral contest without first confronting the formidable political structure surrounding him.
And now, with the unveiling of the Kano North campaign team, the political contest has entered another dimension. The calibre of individuals assembled, their political experience, networks and organisational capacity will undoubtedly be put to the test as the campaign progresses.
Only time will tell.
Sign
Shariff Aminu Ahlan