By Mutawakkilu Ibrahim Idris
When the former Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, stepped down, it did not just create a vacancy—it opened a familiar window into the character of our politics: loud, divided, and often driven more by sentiment than principle.
I chose, at first, to watch quietly.
Not because I lacked a position, but because moments like this reveal who speaks from conviction and who merely adjusts their tone to suit shifting alliances. In Kano, political commentary is rarely in short supply—but sincerity often is.
Let me now speak plainly.
I have always stood for unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano. Not the cosmetic unity of convenience, but the kind rooted in mutual respect among leaders who understand that no single figure can carry the party alone. Kano’s political history has taught us that division is costly—and often unnecessary.
Yet unity does not mean silence.
It is not a betrayal of Barau I. Jibrin to acknowledge the political relevance of Murtala Sule Garo. Nor is it disloyalty to commend others like Abubakar Kabir Bichi when they earn it. Politics, if it must grow, should be able to accommodate truth without suspicion.
My record is open.
I have supported, criticized, and advised across lines—sometimes uncomfortably. Even while serving under former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, I did not surrender my voice. That independence remains intact today. I do not write for favour, nor do I write against anyone for gain.
Which brings us to the central question: who deserves the Deputy Governorship?
My answer remains unchanged Murtala Sule Garo.
Not out of sentiment, but out of logic.
In a political environment where many shift positions at the slightest discomfort, Garo has remained steady, patient, and loyal. He has neither publicly undermined the party nor sought relevance through defection. Even without holding office, he has stayed within the fold.
That matters.
Because if loyalty is never rewarded, then loyalty itself becomes meaningless.
This is not to dismiss others. Far from it. Kano APC is blessed with capable figures across its ranks. But moments like this demand clarity of purpose. A vacancy that emerges naturally should be filled in a way that strengthens trust within the party not deepens silent grievances.
More importantly, the unnecessary tensions—real or perceived—between key actors must give way to maturity. Whether it is between Barau and Garo, or among other influential blocs, the truth is simple: they need each other. Kano APC cannot afford the luxury of internal fragmentation at a time when political competition outside the party remains intense.
In the end, this is bigger than one position.
It is about the message we send: that consistency matters, that patience counts, and that unity is not just preached but practiced.
Anything less would only confirm the cynicism many already hold about our politics.
And Kano, of all places, deserves better.