The Freedom to Lead: Why A’in Jafaru’s Local Sentiment Fails to See Governor Abba’s Progress
By Mohammed Babagana Abubakar
In the fast-evolving landscape of Kano politics, there is a clear divide between those who understand modern governance and those who remain trapped in the sentiment of the past. Recent comments by A’in Jafaru suggest that His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, is “suffering” because he has chosen to leave the Kwankwasiyya movement and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). However, her analysis is not just flawed; it is a display of political illiteracy that mistakes a “leash” for “protection.”
Jafaru and her fellow travelers argue that by leaving the “good father,” Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the Governor has lost his way.
I disagree entirely. What she calls “suffering” is actually the weight of true responsibility. For the first time since taking office, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has the Freedom of Government. He is no longer a student waiting for a directive from Miller Road; he is the Commander-in-Chief of Kano State. When he gives a directive today, it is backed by the full sovereignty of his office, not the suggestions of an external “mentor.” This independence has allowed him to provide opportunities for the state that were previously filtered through the narrow interests of a single political movement.
Perhaps the most laughable claim made by Jafaru is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “cannot compete” with Kwankwaso. This statement shows a complete lack of understanding regarding the Nigerian Constitution and the hierarchy of power.
The President’s Mandate: President Tinubu manages the resources, security, and destiny of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Regional Reality: While Kwankwaso is a respected figure in Kano, his influence is largely regional. To suggest the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is “smaller” than a regional leader reveals a “local politician” mindset that does not belong in 2026.
By “decamping” to the APC and aligning with the center, Governor Abba has not weakened himself; he has strategically positioned Kano to benefit from federal partnerships, infrastructure, and national security resources that were out of reach while he was confined to the “Kano bubble.”
Kano has a long history of political “fathers” trying to control their “sons.” From the days of Rimi and Aminu Kano, we have seen that the state only truly progresses when the sitting Governor is allowed to lead without someone pulling the strings from behind the curtain.
A’in Jafaru’s complaints represent a desperate attempt to keep the Governor in a state of perpetual “mercy” under a godfather. But the reality is clear: Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has chosen the people of Kano over the loyalty of a movement. He has traded the red cap for the crown of independent leadership.
It is time we stop listening to local analysts who think politics ends at the gates of Kano. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is not suffering; he is sovereign. He is not lost; he is leading. Those who cannot see the difference between being a follower and being a leader are the ones truly suffering from a lack of political vision.