Today, I officially declare my intention to contest for the position of Kano State Governor under the Peoples Redemption Party PRP Victory, which took place at the historic Mambayya House Gwammaja Kano.
My dear Kanawa, the people of this historic State, which has been thriving for more than a thousand years. A State that has become the hub of commercial activities not just for our country Nigeria, but for neighbouring countries as well. A State that has always been a beacon of hope and a symbol of resilience and progressiveness to many within and outside its borders. From the time of one of Kano’s greatest leaders, Muhammad Rumfa, who laid the foundation for a prosperous city-state centuries ago, we have witnessed steady advancement throughout our history. We have excelled in different fields, from religion, to education, to trading, and many others.
Nevertheless, the fact remains, Kano can indeed be better. Kano can be greater than every State in Nigeria; and we ought to start looking at the State in comparison to other African countries. Assessing our statistics by population, we rank among the top 20 countries in Africa, ahead of prominent countries like Senegal and Rwanda. Similarly, in terms of abundance of natural resources, we are equally among the leaders on the continent. Unfortunately, one factor that has held us back is our inability to grasp our full potentials. We view our State as simply the biggest in Northern Nigeria, and not a prospective continental giant. That is indeed a limitation. For we have all it takes to become more than we currently are.
The foundation for the modern Kano, which was first laid by the administration of Late Audu Bako, the first Military Administrator of the State, was indeed a solid one, upon which all those that have come after him have built on. The first civilian Governor of the State, the Late Abubakar Rimi is also another great leader Kano has produced, who unsurprisingly was a member of our great party, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), alongside many others who have equally contributed their quota to the overall development of our State. However, there is still room for improvement. Thus, it is imperative that we get it right in the next election circle so as to expedite the development of our state.
For 2023, Kano needs a vibrant and ambitious leader; one who does not see any boundaries when it comes to the heights we can attain. One who understands the peculiarities of the State and is deeply immersed in it. We need a leader who has the right exposure and understands the global outlook of the State. A leader than can place it on a prosperous trajectory, which will rapidly unleash the State’s enormous potential, and place it in its rightful position in the comity of Nations.
It is against this background, that after careful consideration, I humbly present myself to the great people of this beautiful State, for consideration for the position of Governor, under the platform of our great party, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
I am declaring where it matters most: at the spiritual home of our party, the PRP, the larger compound of its foremost son and founding father, Mallam Aminu Kano. This venue, Mambayya House, was therefore deliberately chosen for this occasion. Aminu Kano’s remains are here with us. May his living example continue to guide our generation and propel our ambition to make Kano a pacesetter. May Allah continue to bless his gentle soul. Amin.
I am under no illusions – the task that lies ahead of me, in leading this great State is a momentous one. However, it is a responsibility and a burden that someone must bear. And looking at the political terrain, I believe it is a sacrifice that those of us with the right pedigree must make, to ensure our State does not trend towards the wrong direction.
The reason I decided to accept the yearnings of many Kanawa, and contest for the highest office in the State, is simply because I want to ensure our democratic system is rooted in Democratic Humanism, which simply means giving power back to the people, to shape their own lives, and build their own future. Therefore, I am doing this, so that Kanawa will take ownership of their Government, while we provide it with the desired leadership to navigate our complex polity.
When power returns to the people, they will take ownership of their own destiny, and we will ensure that economic prosperity becomes the bedrock of our state. In the next 10yrs, we want Kano to be the centre of commercial excellence in Africa, and to achieve this we must standardise certain sectors within our state such as education, health, infrastructure, public service, security and agriculture. These will be the key sectors that we shall focus on in order to achieve our target of becoming the centre of commercial excellence in Africa. In due course, we will unveil our blueprint for Kano, our “Vision 2033”, which in sha Allah will spell out our ambitious plan for our dear state.
I would be remiss not to mention my primary constituency – the great youth of this State. I am fully aware that any endeavour that ignores the youth carries with it the seeds of its own destruction. I truly believe in young people, and it is that trust in our collective ability to upstage the status quo that fuels my ambition. Being young carries endless possibilities, creativity, curiosity, energy, and guts. I therefore appeal directly to the young people of Kano State to take ownership of my ambition and channel that creativity, curiosity, energy, and guts to ensure its success. I ask that you see my bid for what it is; a movement for the emancipation and empowerment of the youth of our dear State.
Finally, I want everyone to understand that we are doing this not because we aspire to add the title of Your Excellency to our CVs nor because we are attracted to the frivolities attached to it. It is not because we yearn for power, and it certainly is not because we want to enrich ourselves. It is simply because servitude to people is the way of life we were raised upon. It is what my father has spent over 70yrs of his life doing. It is what his contemporaries like Late Mallam Aminu Kano, Late Abubakar Rimi, Late Shehu Shanono, Late Lawan Dambazau and many more great sons and daughters of Kano were famous for. This is their way, and this will equally be our way.
I remember in December 2000 when I decided to venture into politics, I specifically asked myself why I was going into partisan politics, and at that time the simple answer I gave myself was – to sacrifice in service of the people the same way my father has done. And in sha Allah when I get elected, I intend to serve Kano and Kanawa, to the best of my ability, so help me God.
- Being the declaration speech delivered by Salihu Tanko Yakasai, Kano State Governorship aspirant under the PRP, at Mambayya House, Kano
