As we look towards the 2019 general elections, it is necessary to evaluate the chances of the candidates of opposition parties, especially PDP. Several aspirants are presently jostling to be the candidate of the PDP but for now, Atiku and Kwankwaso occupy the elite position. Let me state right from the get-go, for transparency purpose, that I am very much aligned to Kwankwaso (aka RMK).
RMK did immensely well as Governor, particularly during his second inning. Kwankwaso is an immensely smart politician. My goodness, you just need to listen to him woo the crowds (in his native lingua....he is not as mesmerizing in the language of the Queen, and you will know what I mean.
He merited membership of Kano's elite club of finest Governors...populated by (only) the fabulous duo of Audu Bako and my most-beloved Rimi. Kwankwaso is easily the most popular politician in Kano (and one can argue for most part of Naija's north). The sea of people that attend his public events is reminiscent to what obtained at the rallies of the Great Mallam Aminu himself (albeit PMB too enjoys similar level of unbelievably Mallam-like support at his events).
Shekarau is a good man too...a gentle, humble, fatherly, politically-astute, erudite and disciplined technocrat. Politically, the Kano of today is sharply divided between the supporters of the two political giants (albeit I think Kwankwaso has an extra edge in the support base because he performed far better in office....and the people know this only too well). Both enjoy massive support in Kano....Shekarau seems to enjoy the support of the religious scholars and the intelligentsia; whereas Kwankwaso enjoys the support of the masses/grassroots).
It really is great that they are now back together ....as brothers. It was almost a miracle that the two political heavyweights can now become brothers again, it reminds me of the time when Rimi and Bakin Zuwo got back together, after their release from your brother's Kiri-Kiri gulag in the mid-late 80s.
Kwankwaso and His Highness Emir Mohammed Sanusi were hugely instrumental in helping PMB amass the million votes he won in Kano. Absolutely no doubt about that with Kwankwaso (and Shekarau) on the PDP side, it really is tough for PMB to win Kano (even if he manages to do the seemingly impossible, it will be by the slimmest of margins).
There is no one who can possibly beat him.... the only one that may have a chance in the North is Kwankwaso (particularly if PMB continues to ignore the massive economic hardships many of his NW and NE voters have been experiencing for the last two years). PMB has all sorts of issues (mostly related to his inability to tame those around him who are grossly incompetent and/or perceivable to be, or are, corrupt), but the other (major opposition) party do not have better (more credible) alternative. This is the issue.
The PDP has no one else...except possibly Kwankwaso.... that can be seen as a credible alternative. But most likely the PDP will field Atiku....and the Turaki has as much a chance as I have of being the next Pope of Rome.
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