Some weeks ago, the embattled INEC Chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu released the provisional time table for the 2011 general election in Nigeria. As characteristic of our politicians, even before the release of the INEC time table, the politicians had started making waves for political alignments and strategy in order to grab political power in the next political dispensation.

Kano, the centre of commerce, one of the political hotbeds of the country and also one of the vibrant states is witnessing various interest group of individual and individuals warming up to take over from the incumbent hard working people's governor, Malam (Dr) Ibrahim Shekarau, the Sardaunan Kano who will, by the grace of Almighty God, be completing his second term of eight years of purposeful leadership in May 2011.

Malam (Dr) Ibrahim Shekarau is one of the extremely few governors in Nigeria that have given leadership a human face. His sterling qualities have brought about development and stability to the door steps of Kano people.  Even some of the governor's arm-chair critics and rabble rousers who initially did not want to see beyond their noses have today realized the beauty of having Malam (Dr) Ibrahim Shekarau as not only the governor of Kano State but also as the President of Nigeria. The phenomenal achievements of the Shekarau administration in terms of service delivery in Kano State have been described by the factional OPC leader, the President of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, as a miracle.

Describing Governor Shekarau as an achiever, Otunba Gani Adams had stated that they used to have an impression that the South-West governors were more productive than their northern counterparts. He therefore admitted that with what he has seen in Kano, this myth has now been shattered and called on Governor Ibrahim Shekarau to keep the flag flying, assuring that they are behind him.

Similar commendations had come from prominent persons as Odumegwu Ojukwu, Professor Dora Akunyili, Professor Wole Soyinka, the revered emir of Kano, Alhaji (Dr) Ado Bayero and host of many others.

Indeed, it should be the collective joy of the people of Kano and Nigeria that in spite of all odds, we still have some one like Malam (Dr) Ibrahim Shekarau who can still make the difference in good governance. All these do not suggest that there is no pocket of people who would still want to observe the contrary. Even the Prophets of God had to grapple with the evil machinations of mischief-makers in the course of carrying out their noble messages.

This is why it should not bother any right thinking person if in spite of the tremendous achievements of Shekarau administration; some people would still want to manufacture ills of his administration against it. God has already made it possible for Governor Shekarau to deliver the dividend of democracy to his people, which he has graciously done and there is nothing any man born of woman can do about it than to appreciate it with all sincerity of purpose.

What should be the paramount importance to the people of Kano State is the fate of Kano after Shekarau's exit? Who should take over from the man that has performed so well for his people? The continuous progress of Kano depends on the choice of Shekarau's successor. Governor Shekarau, the Sardaunan Kano had stated that "success without successor is a failure", meaning that there is no sense in picking a successor that would not further contribute to the successes already achieved for the state. Although it is not easy getting the type of Malam (Dr) Ibrahim Shekarau as his successor, it is axiomatic for the people of Kano not to allow kleptomaniac and some one that have no respect for peace, progress and development of the state to see the four walls of Kano State Government House by 2011.

The state needs another truly God-fearing person like the incumbent Governor to assume the honourable Chair of Malam (Dr) Ibrahim Shekarau. It is therefore, expedient on the people of Kano to honestly look in-ward and re-assess the kind of quality Shekarau has and the beautiful achievements he has recorded before they decide on who will succeed him.

As a matter of fact, the success recorded so far by Shekarau administration is not easy to come by. It takes dose of courage, integrity, hard work, dexterity, sincerity and honesty to achieve such wonderful feats. Therefore, the huge successes and achievements recorded by Shekarau government in human and structural developments, road rehabilitation and reconstruction, educational advancement, basic health improvement, rural and urban revival, peace and stability of the state, societal reorientation leading to moral rejuvenation, religious tolerance and harmony, agricultural improvement and high level of general infrastructure development must be intensified, sustained and consolidated by Shekarau's successor. This is why the good people of Kano must not allow any successor that would come to distabilise the unprecedented huge achievements of Shekarau-led-administration.

In addition to these, it is paramount to observe that the choice of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau as the governor of Kano State in April 2003 was because of his unblemished past records in the civil service, which he has been able to sustain till date. It is because Shekarau is honest and sincere that the people of Kano rallied round him to the extent that some people would always proudly want to claim that they brought him to power. It is only person of these character traits that should be voted by Kano people to take over from where Shekarau would stop so that Kano will continue to be in the comity of states where good governance, accountability and development become the practice.

At this juncture, I would like to ask, how many state governors in our present disposition that disclose their monthly revenue and expenditures before the public scrutiny? How many past governors of Kano State that have ever dreamt of making roads in the state like a mini London? It is only the truly People's Governor as Malam (Dr) Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano State that has achieved these noble feats. It is because of these enviable achievements of this man of impeccable quality that tend to draw jealousy and envy among those who would have pushed Kano in the mud. As I said and we know, success attracts envy and jealousy. Whatsoever is great will continue to be great, no matter how loud the clamour of denial.   

On the part of the People's Governor, it is a pride for him today that he has achieved for Kano what his predecessors never dreamt of. According to an Indian Expatriate in Nigeria, Mr. Pathania, he said to me recently that "the way Governor Shekarau of Kano State is trying on road development; is how the developing country should do. He is setting example for others to emulate and if such type of achievements are embarked upon by other Governors in Nigeria, it will lead to a total transformation of the country into a developed nation", said Mr. Pathania.

In as much as Governor Shekarau is entitled to vote and be voted for, one is extremely happy that he said he would allow the people to decide the choice of his successor. He has always maintained that he does not know who will succeed him, putting every thing in prayer that God should make good choice for the people of Kano. This does not in any way mean that as a human being and politician, he has no preference. But whatever it is, he wants God's intervention, which is the best for all of us.

As for those already scrambling to take over from Shekarau by May 2011, they should re-assess themselves to ascertain their character and characteristic Those who know that they cannot live up to the high level of Shekarau's achievements should in the name of God and His Prophet voluntarily step aside to allow people of valour, integrity and impeccably transparent to contest for the exalted seat. They should not think that they can deceive the populace through their present cosmetic profiles to get what they do not deserve at all costs.

We should remember what instituted the choice of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau in 2003 and 2007. The issue of integrity, honesty, sincerity and hard work per excellence are factors that should not be swept under the carpet in choosing Shekarau's successor. This is why only Shekarau should succeed Shekarau and as time goes on, God shall unveil the right person that would take over from Governor Shekarau by May 2011 so that Kano and indeed Nigeria will continue to grow from strength to strength.

Saka Raji Audu writes from Kano and can be reached on his email: sakaraj@yahoo.com

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