For decades, Kano stood as Northern Nigeria’s unrivaled hub of commerce and an economic powerhouse whose markets, artisans, and trading networks attracted people from across the country and beyond. In recent years, this legacy has come under threat, pointing fingers at political decisions and actions associated with Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his political influence in the state. Although his supporters present him as a reformer, many residents, traders, and observers contend that his political interventions have contributed to an environment of commercial instability especially by reflecting on his utterances during political gatherings, rally and campaigns particularly at the eve of 2023 general election. The utterances made by Sen. Kwankwaso form the basis of a growing narrative that Kwankwaso has, intentionally acted as a destroyer of Kano’s commercial legacy looking at the following consequences of the utterances. One of the most contentious issues raised against Kwankwaso’s utterances is the demolition of shops at Kofar Mata, near the iconic Kwari Market (Kano’s textile nerve centre). These demolitions seemed politically motivated and has led to the abrupt closure of numerous businesses in the nation’s centre of commerce. For many traders, tailors, and wholesalers, the demolished shops were not just commercial spaces but rather lifelong investments and financial backbone of their entire families as well as sources of employment for young people in the city of Kano. 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These actions reflect a pattern of disregard for the economic wellbeing of the city, where political rivalry is allowed to overshadow commercial interests and economic development. Although the malicious act of demolition was framed as “recovery of public property” or “urban restructuring,” it causes more harm than good as it leads to loss of capital investments for many traders and investors, destabilization of established commercial clusters, and the weakening of Kano’s position as a resilient trading metropolis. What remains clear to many people within and outside the state is that these decisions appear less like reforms and more like political vendettas with devastating economic loss that will take decades to be recovered. Kano historically thrived because it welcomed traders from across the country such Aba’s textile merchants, Lagos importers, northern livestock dealers, and countless others from within and outside the country who saw Kano as a dependable commercial anchor. The instability created by this politically linked demolitions, threats, and uncertainty has scared away many of these visitors. It is obvious that a market cannot flourish when entrepreneurs fear that their investments, stalls, or business environments could be disrupted without notice. Thus, as commercial confidence weakens, so does patronage. And as patronage declines, Kano’s once-vibrant interstate trade begins to lose its competitive edge. Another recurring criticism is the claim that Kwankwaso’s political movement has, over the years, empowered groups of youths who become active during political seasons and are often referred to by residents as “Yan Tauri” or political thugs. This empowerment fuels disorder, particularly in commercial districts where clashes, intimidation, or street disturbances can disrupt business operations. Markets thrive on stability, safety, and predictability. Any atmosphere of fear, whether politically motivated or opportunistically exploited, pushes traders and customers away, thereby undermining the commercial structure that took generations to build. In conclusion, Kano’s commercial identity is not merely an economic construct but a cultural heritage, a social safety net, and a symbol of Northern prosperity. The criticisms directed at Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso reflect deep anxieties about the city’s future, as many believe his political actions have contributed to disruptions that weaken Kano’s longstanding legacy as a vibrant centre of commerce. Whether one agrees with these accusations or views them as political rhetoric, the truth remains that Kano’s commercial survival depends on stability, inclusiveness, and the protection of economic infrastructure, not its destruction. Dr. Usman Suleiman Sarki Madobi
