Alhaji Adamu Yusuf Garko is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano state. He is a close associate of former governor of the state, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and a retired Customs officer. In this interview with ALIYU ASKIRA, he speaks on Kano politics, Kwankwaso’s presidential ambition, and Nigeria’s security challenges.
What is your background and how did you join politics?
I was born in Garko, Kano state, and I had my primary and secondary education in Garko. Later I attended ATC Kano for an NCE programme and subsequently attended Bayero University Kano and obtain a first Degree in History. I continued for a post graduate programme and ended up with Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Ahamdu Bello University, Zaria.
I joined the Nigeria Customs Service in 1981 after my NYSC in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
Why Custom Service? People are said to make fast money in Customs. How true is this?
In fact, contrary is the case because I joined Customs Service by accident. I went with a friend to collect Federal Civil Service form and my friend filled it out for me and made my first and second choice as Nigeria custom Service. So, I was invited for the interview and performed very well. Then I was taken.
So, mine had nothing to do with making fast money. Also, at the time things were relatively attractive in all sectors, corruption was not pronounced.
Okay, let’s talk about Kano politics. Following the death of Senator Kwankwaso’s father some people have urged him to reconcile with the governor as a mark of respect to late monarch. What is your take on this?
Honestly, I share their view. After all, the world is a small place. One day all of us will leave the scene, so I have no objection to that. We are all Kano indigenes and we are doing our best to promote our state.
How will you react to the threat by Kano APC chairman that the APC will not allow any other party win a single seat in 2023?
Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas can say whatever he likes. Nobody knows tomorrow and before 2023, maybe all of us might have gone. So, I don’t have anything to say about that.
How will you assess Senator Kwankwaso as a political leader?
Honestly, assessing Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso politically or as a statesman is very difficult. The man is always thinking of helping the masses and the less privilege.
His achievement in the education sector, health, rural transformation, and empowerment of women is second to none in Kano state. He is a great leader by all standards.
He built two universities for Kano state as governor of the state. In fact, he once told us that he can sell all his property to sponsor the children of the poor to university. His record as two-time governor of Kano state is there for all to see.
So, when I received the news that he lost his father, I felt a complete sense of sympathy for him because when I lost my father, I knew how I felt.
As a close associate of Senator Kwankwaso can you say if he will contest for the presidency in 2023?
This question is too early. He contested before and when we reach the bridge in 2023, we will know how to cross it. Our lives are not in our hands.
Let’s talk about the insurgency ravaging the North. Do you think northern leaders are doing enough to salvage the region?
I am terribly worried because of the news we get on daily basis about kidnapping, rape, attacks by Boko Haram, destruction of lives and property.
The Northern region today is more or less a ‘no-go-area.’ You can’t go to the farm, investors are not coming and funny enough, it is only the North that is facing these problems.
Government should put in place a strong committee of elders, student union leaders, traditional rulers, politicians, opinion leaders, market women, and the media, with serious mandate from the Presidency to provide solution to these crises.
If that is not done I can tell you all of us will be worse for it. Even though we read in the papers that such efforts were being made but the response from Abuja is not encouraging. We will continue to act until the region is safe. We are still facing the Covid-19 crisis which has seriously affected our economy.
Honestly, what is happening in the North is worrisome and disturbing but it is not late to seek lasting solution to the problem. President Muhammadu Buhari, in his wisdom, can take necessary action that will alleviate the situation.
For a very long time now Nigerians have been calling on President Buhari to change the service chiefs. Do you think changing the service chiefs will improve the security situation?
He is the one that appointed them and he has his reason for keeping them. People said they should be changed; the President seems to be telling us he is happy with their performance. So, it is the President that has the powers to appoint and remove members of his cabinet.
Out of frustration, some sections of the country are calling an interim government. Do you think these calls are necessary and has President Buhari justified the mandate given to him by Nigerians?
No need for interim government, we have elected leaders in place.
Well, about their performance, honestly, we are not impressed; our roads are bad; the railway projects are yet to take off efficiently; our industries are still closed; insecurity is the order of the day.
The President should take decisive action to help us. The economy of the North is collapsing. If the Presidency leaves the North in 2023 we are finished because we did not benefit maximally from the President Buhari-led administration.
