Kwankwaso: Karma not betrayal @ work

Kwankwaso: Karma not betrayal @ work

By Abba Dukawa

The public fallout between Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf (AKY)’s and his political mentor mirrors familiar fractures from Rabiu Kwankwaso’s past, notably his bitter split with Abdullahi Ganduje. Once again, a protégé has chosen a different path. The question is whether AKY’s move represents calculated independence or a strategic checkmate in a long political chess game.

Governor Abba Yusuf’s defection to the APC has reignited a debate in Kano politics: was it a betrayal of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s trust, or the inevitable outcome of political pragmatism? To some observers, it looks less like treachery and more like poetic justice—a lesson Kwankwaso himself has long taught others.

Political independence is the ability to govern based on personal conviction and the interests of the electorate. Blind loyalty, by contrast, subordinates public interest to the will of a godfather. One is autonomy; the other is submission.

In a subdued and emotional interview with BBC Hausa—his first since AKY’s exit from the NNPP—Kwankwaso expressed deep hurt, describing the defection as an unimaginable act of betrayal. He insisted Kano remains NNPP territory and warned that Abba would face consequences, accusing him of “handing over Kano’s mandate to the Gandujiyya camp.
Kwankwaso claimed the issues leading to the defection could have been resolved through dialogue and repeatedly questioned what went wrong and who was to blame. Yet his continued public lament only reinforces a perception of desperation, as though he fears losing something more than political relevance.

While his emotional appeal may resonate with loyalists, Kwankwaso is hardly alone in having felt betrayed in Kano’s turbulent political history. Ironically, many accuse him of the very conduct he now condemns.

Kwankwaso’s political ascent in 1999 was aided by figures such as Abubakar Rimi, Hamisu Musa, and Musa Gwadabe. Once in power, he dismantled the structures that supported him, side-lining these benefactors and rendering them politically irrelevant. None truly recovered from that fallout.

History appears to be repeating itself. A leader who once thrived on alliances has repeatedly abandoned them after consolidating power. Ali Sani Madaki has openly accused Kwankwaso of hypocrisy, arguing that someone with such a record lacks the moral authority to lecture others on loyalty or betrayal.
This pattern extended beyond Kano. In 2019, Kwankwaso was accused of distancing himself from Atiku Abubakar after securing his own political interests in the state—an act many viewed as a serious breach of trust.

Compounding this is Kwankwaso’s long history of party switching: from PDP to APC, back to PDP, and now NNPP. These moves, often driven by personal ambition, weaken his credibility when criticizing defections by others—especially when his political protégé followed him through many of those same transitions.

Governor Abba Yusuf’s silence since leaving the NNPP speaks volumes. While he denies being under anyone’s control, few dispute that Kwankwaso shaped his political career. AKY’s loyalty was once unwavering—sometimes to the point of personal sacrifice and public humiliation.

Yet history shows that loyalty to Kwankwaso rarely guarantees lasting trust. Many who once defended him eventually fell out after warning of his autocratic and self-centred leadership style. Figures like Rabiu Suleiman Bichi and Professor Hafiz Abubakar—who even resigned as Deputy Governor to demonstrate loyalty raised these concerns long before they became widely acknowledged.

Kwankwaso would be wise to stop issuing coded messages that could provoke damaging disclosures. The stakes are high. Ultimately, the decline of Kwankwaso’s political dynasty is not the result of external opposition but internal decay.

A movement built on control rather than mutual respect cannot endure. The ladder that lifted him was kicked away rung by rung—not by enemies, but by the memories of those who felt used, discarded, and betrayed.

What we are witnessing today may not be betrayal at all—but karma, long delayed, finally coming full circle.

In the final analysis, leaders are judged by their outcomes, not just their platforms. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s decision engages the present and invests in the future – it’s not about rejecting the past. When intentions are clear and service is key, change is a step forward, not a betrayal.

Dukawa write it from Abuja can be reached at abbahydukawa@gmail.com