By Abdullahi Yusuf
When on November 23, 2022, the Gawuna/Garo governorship campaign was flagged off in Gaya, headquarters of Gaya Local Government Area of Kano State, discerning minds both within and outside the state concluded that the journey for the consolidation of good governance and people-oriented programs had commenced;
That the journey for the continued transformation of Kano State had begun, and that the process for the sustenance of credible leadership for the continuous growth and development of the state had indeed started;
From Gaya to Albasu and Ajingi where the governorship campaign first commenced, the campaign train moved to Rano, Kibiya, Bunkure, Sumaila, Takai, Dawakin Kudu, Warawa, Tudun Wada, Doguwa, Bagwai, and Shanono Local Government Areas;
Through Gabasawa, Gezawa, Tudun Wada, Doguwa, Wudil, Garko, Ungogo, Minjibir, Dambatta, Makoda, Kura, Garun Malam, Kiru and Bebeji Local Government Areas where the people came out in large numbers to hear the message of peace, progress, and development.
It was pomp and ceremony all the way as the Gawuna/Garo campaign train passed through towns and villages heading towards the venues of the rallies, with people lining up on the roads to receive and greet members of the campaign team.
The campaign which featured colorful rallies led by the Governor and APC leader in the state, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has so far gone well, with members of the campaign team returning home happy that they have effectively delivered the message to the electorate.
I remember the Governor while launching the campaign at the Emir of Gaya’s Palace, urging the people of Gaya Emirate and indeed the entire state, to vote for the APC Governorship candidate, Dr. Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, and his Deputy, Hon. Murtala Sule Garo, to enable them to continue with the laudable programs and policies of his administration.
I also remember him urging the people of the area to vote for Gawuna and Garo to ensure the sustainability of the Gaya Emirate that his administration had restored.
He said the restoration of the Emirate had brought growth and development to the area in terms of peace, security, and infrastructure development.
Subsequent speeches and addresses of the Governor at the succeeding rallies came in the same veins-urging the people to vote for continuity, peace, progress, and development.
The State APC Governorship Candidate, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, his Running Mate, Hon. Murtala Sule Garo, the State Chairman of the APC, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, as well as other candidates contesting for elections on the platform of the APC, all through spoke in the same vein.
I recall that Dr. Gawuna while addressing a mammoth crowd of APC supporters and other residents of Gezawa and Gabasawa local government areas said that the APC would win the forthcoming general elections smoothly and peacefully.
“Like the State APC Chairman, Prince Abdullahi Abbas said, the APC will win the forthcoming general elections nationwide and at all levels, smoothly and peacefully, by the grace of God,” he said.
Amid thunderous ovations from party supporters, the APC Standard Flagbearer, also told the gathering that he would focus on the development of education, agriculture, healthcare, commerce as well as the provision of employment for youths and women, and roads, among other sectors if elected as the next Governor of the state.
He also told the gathering that he would form a People’s Government where everybody would have a sense of belonging, saying that after all, the government belonged to the people.
The APC Chairman in the state, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, also said at the rally that the APC would win the forthcoming general elections at all levels in Kano State and other States of the federation, smoothly.
“In fact, it is a foregone conclusion that we have already won the forthcoming elections, considering the impressive performance records of our party and candidates and their popularity among the people,” the chairman said.
Equally in his addresses at the various rallies so far held by the campaign team, Dr. Gawuna’s Running Mate, Hon. Murtala Sule Garo urged the people of the state to vote massively for the state APC governorship and deputy governorship candidates to enable them to continue with the laudable programs of the Ganduje Administration.
Another significant feature that boosted the success of the Gawuna/Garo campaign outings was the mass defection of members of opposition parties to the APC.
These were recorded at Minjibir, among other campaign rallies, where Governor Ganduje received thousands of NNPP supporters into the APC; and at Shanono where the APC Standard Flagbearer in the state, Dr. Nasiru Gawuna received thousands of NNPP and PDP supporters into the APC.
At all the campaign rallies so far, the mammoth crowds were asked by the campaign team led by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, whether they would vote for APC in the forthcoming general elections.
And the gatherings answered in the affirmative: “Yes, we will vote for continuity, progress, and development of Kano State. “Indeed, so far, so good.
