Within his short stint in the business of image-making as the Kano State Commissioner of information, Youth Culture and Sports, Alhaji Danburam Abubakar Nuhu, has created a good image for the Kwankwaso administration in Kano having been redeployed from the state ministry of commerce the ministry of information to do what is right. In this exclusive interview with our Kano correspondent BASHIR MOHAMMED, the commissioner spoke on the need for Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to run for the nation’s presidency in 2015, arguing that the governor has capacity as one leader who is leading by example
How do you see your redeployment from the state ministry of commerce to ministry of information?
Let me give thanks to almighty Allah, all praises be to our prophet (S.A.W.) It is really a big challenge and I think it is also timely because it has come at a time we need to continue to boost the progress of the state government in terms of what it has done to the people.
It has come at a time the governor needed someone who would continue to sensitize and to inform the people of Kano and by extension, the people of Nigeria regarding the policies and programme of the Kwankwaso administration.
We have done so many things and people need to know that this government has done so much in the areas of education, health, infrastructural development and many more. In fact, these are things that some people see as miraculous. This is where we have the real transformation not the other transformation you hear about elsewhere.
What is your impression of the relationship between the media and your administration?
It has been very, very cordial. I have to thank them for what they have been doing in supporting this government. And the tour of media houses I have conducted have paid up because we are strong partners in progress. I would continue to call on them to partner with us, so that we can continue to keep the people of Kano and indeed Nigeria, informed about our array of achievements in Kano in the last three years. So my own experience as so far been a good one. In terms of my outing, I think that the media men have been very, very friendly and I must thank them. I do hope that we would continue to partner together just as they equally promised me.
As we move closer to the 2015 presidential elections, how do you see the chances of Governor Kwankwaso?
Well his Excellency is yet to formally declare, but the good people of Nigeria have been calling on him to contest for the highest office in the land and it is a clear testimony to the fact that he is equal to the task.
This is the right time, it is something that had happened in Kano three years ago, when people of the state called on him to contest for governorship .Now they are asking him to come to the aid of Nigerians because we need a leader like him who has the guts to turn around our fortunes as a nation through exemplary leadership. If you talk of his experience and pedigree, I think Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso can effectively handle the task.
The nation is also faced with serious security challenges…
You see, Kwankwaso is one who has considerable experience in defense matters, which is critical at this point in time. He has four years of experience as a minister of defense at a point where Nigeria really needed capable hands. I believe he is someone who would make Nigeria more secure for us to live in.
What other things do you think he has working in his favour politically?
If you talk of governance, he had been a governor for four years, now coming back as a governor, look at what he has achieved so far. You see, we don’t have the luxury of time and that is why his Excellency is managing the time appropriately. If kwankwaso could achieve these monumental strides in three years as a governor, I can tell you without any fear of contradiction, that he is eminently qualified to contest for the highest office in land. It is for us to have the real change in Nigeria within the shortest possible time, because we don’t have the luxury of time. Nigerians are eager, they really want change. I think he has every quality you expect of the next Nigerian President. For instance, the biggest problem of Nigeria is corruption and Kwankwaso is a champion of the fight against corruption. To fight it successfully from all angles, we need someone who would close all leakages and Kwankwaso has proven his mettle in doing that.
He has the gut to tell every Nigerian that what you are doing is not good. He can call off the bluff of any corrupt Nigerian, no matter his or her status. We really need leaders who can look beyond their nose; if we have leaders who cannot look beyond their nose, then we would ultimately have problems. We also need a leader who would unite Nigeria irrespective of tribal or religious affinities. I have no doubt that Kwankwaso has the much needed gravitas and courage to do what is good for the country.
There is the fear being entertained by APC faithfuls in the country that Kwankwaso’s foray into the presidential race is set to pitch the governor against Buhari. What is your take on this?
I think people who really don’t understand are the ones making insinuations about it. His Excellency Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso and General Buhari are partners in progress. They are together and they would always be together and I can tell you that even general Buhari when he came closer to Kwankwaso, he would attest to the fact that he has somebody who is his own replica. He would say I thanked God if I am have three like him, the journey would be a successful one bind the whole Nigeria would be better.
Today if Genera Buhari knows that Kwankwaso will have the ticket of the APC it would be like him. He will be ready to support him. I can tell you that APC is a party that brought so many parties together where democracy is being practiced we are not the kind of people that will seat in Abuja and decide the fate of Nigerians. To say this is the person that would come out to run no, no we are not the kind of party to do that.
Ours is a party that will open up, people who have interest, and people who have something to offer. APC has not yet taken the decision that Mr. A or Mr B is the person to be allowed to contest. Everyone has the opportunity to contest for any position provided that one is capable of shouldering such a responsibility I can tell you that whoever emerges as the APC presidential flag bearer Kwankwaso is the one to support him Jonathan has nothing to offer for this country. We are groaning under a lame duck presidency and we need a clear paradigm shift to more things forward.
In fact people are just envious of what is happening in APC because they know, we have people who can deliver. It is not such a party who has only one person who they think can deliver, like the case of Jonathan. In the APC we have a level-playing ground for everybody.
People are just creating the wrong impression that, there is enmity between Buhari and Kwankwaso it is not so. They are gadflies who take solace in causing confusion to engender disaffection. Period. If Buhari declares, and Kwankwaso declares, there is no problem. We believe in the spirit of cohesion and internal democracy.
