By Aminu Dahiru
The recent political alignment between Former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf marks a critical turning point for governance in Kano State.
Beyond the ever-present political headlines, the development presents an opportunity to restore, improve coordination and refocus governance on service delivery rather than political rivalry or power struggle, which have shaped the state for many years.
Governance in Kano has never lacked ideas, but overlapping influence, informal power centres and quiet but prominent political vendettas slow down decision-making and cause unnecessary tension. The result is always abysmal when unelected actors or rival blocs attempt, at all cost, to impose themselves upon an administration. This is in essence what the Ganduje-Governor Abba alignment intends to weed out.
Contrary to the fears often associated with political realignments, Dr Abdullahi Uamr Ganduje has not, and will never, positioned himself as a domineering force seeking to micromanage the present government. Instead, his posture reflects political dexterity, allowing constitutional authority to rest squarely with the sitting governor, while offering wealth of experience, networks and support where necessary.
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This restraint is crucial, as governance works best when advice strengthens institutions, not when influence is allowed to override them.
Gov Yusuf
On the other hand, Governor Abba Kabir demonstrates a calm, respectful and people-oriented leadership style. His openness to dialogue, consensus and inclusive governance has earned him goodwill across political lines. Alignment in this context does not weaken this; it reinforces it by reducing friction and by forcefully isolating destabilizing elements that thrives on division. Why?
Decision-making
Decision-making becomes faster and clearer when there is no shadow power contesting authority. Policies move from conception to implementation without unnecessary bottlenecks, perhaps deliberate encumbrances, caused by internal resistance or loyalty checks.
Institution Primacy
Institutions regain their primacy. Kano ministries, departments and agencies can function better when directives come from one recognized centre of authority, backed by broad political support rather than competing interests.
Alignment
Alignment helps lower the political temperature of the state. Investors, development partners and civil servants all respond positively to signals of unity and predictability. In this regard, Kano state under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf will benefit from it politically and economically, being both political and economic.
Significantly, the absence of imposed influence will allow the governor to fully govern to empower the people, rather than massage egos or settle scores. The energy that would have gone into managing clashes can now be redirected toward education, infrastructure, healthcare and economic opportunity.
The current political realities in Kano state should not be misunderstood as the triumph of one individual over another; it represents a shared understanding that Kano’s progress matters more than factional dominance.
Mature politics is not about who shouts the loudest behind the scenes, but about who allows institutions to work.
If sustained, the Ganduje-Governor Yusuf alignment could well become a model for post-election reconciliation and cooperation, a juncture where experience supports leadership, respect replaces rivalry and governance is free from drag of imposed, or external, control.
For Kano state, this alignment is not just good politics; it is good governance.
Aminu Dahiru is
Visual Communication Aide to Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON.
2nd February, 2026