KANO, NIGERIA — A severe political storm has erupted across Northern Nigeria following comments from loyalists of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) who reportedly insulted the memory of the late Premier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, in a bid to market Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as a vice-presidential candidate.
The controversial remarks have drawn a fierce, widespread backlash from regional elders, historians, and political analysts, who view the denigration of the North’s most revered founding father as an unpardonable sacrilege.
The Spark: Demoting Sardauna to Elevate Kwankwaso
The controversy began during an intense debate over the ongoing realignments and mock tickets being floated ahead of future presidential contests. In an attempt to push Kwankwaso’s suitability for a secondary position on a joint ticket, certain overzealous media aides and supporters reportedly drew historical parallels, suggesting that Kwankwaso’s political structure and influence surpass the foundational achievements of Sir Ahmadu Bello.
The comparison was immediately flagged as an insult to the memory of the late Premier, who is widely regarded as the architect of modern Northern Nigeria’s unity, educational institutions, and civil service infrastructure.
Isahaq Leads the Pushback against Political Desperation
Reacting to the development, prominent Northern commentator Malam Abdulsalam Isahaq expressed deep disgust over the changing values within the region’s political class, questioning how ambition could completely blind stakeholders to their own history.
“How did political desperation get so bad that Sardauna is now being insulted just to defend Kwankwaso’s vice-presidential ambition?” Isahaq questioned in a sharply worded public intervention.
Isahaq argued that the willingness of contemporary politicians to tear down the foundational pillars of Northern heritage simply to secure a political office reveals a profound moral decay and structural weakness within the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Regional Outrage and the Kwankwasiyya Dilemma
The backlash has reverberated across traditional and political institutions in the North:
- Elder Statesmen React: Traditional commentators and socio-cultural groups have cautioned political actors to leave the names of dead leaders out of current partisan battles, warning that insulting the Sardauna alienates the core Northern electorate.
- The VP Clout Debate: Analysts point out that this desperation stems from a deep-seated anxiety within Kwankwaso’s camp. Having run for president in previous cycles, the pressure to accept a running mate slot to stay relevant has created immense friction, forcing his defenders to use extreme historical narratives to justify his political worth.
The NNPP leadership has scrambled to douse the tension, with several stakeholders insisting that the comments did not reflect the official position of Senator Kwankwaso, who they claim holds the memory of Sir Ahmadu Bello in the highest esteem.
