2023: When Tinubu, Shettima Unlocks the North 

2023: When Tinubu, Shettima Unlocks the North 

By: James Bwala

I woke up around 2:00am on Monday and was going through my Facebook account. The thought and urge to write also came. It could be anything because there are many thoughts, areas and topics to write about running in my head. Politics was the least of them for me. Though it was also in the moment to be discussing politics as Nigeria and Nigerians go heads on since Tinubu’s announcement to fulfill his long time ambition. I have piles of files from Sokoto to Borno on the ongoing security situation to write on. But my eyes ran through a post on Tinubu, Shettima leading a condolence and sympathy visit to Zamfara, Kano and Katsina.

Earlier, I had read a comment by Professor Shehu Liberty and other commentators on Kashim Shettima. Talking about his power of Oratory. That has been the driving force that separates Senator Kashim Shettima’s kind of politics from others. He has such a convincing love for the choice of words and very strong communication skills. 

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I went on browsing through searching and counting the number of comments that agree with Prof. Shehu Liberty of the University of Maiduguri and others until I counted seven hundred and sixty-nine (769) Facebook comments. They all are in agreement that Senator Kashim Shettima is indeed an Orator. Of course, every follower of Kashim Shettima and there are thousands of them would agree with his eloquence and expression words. That is why I also believed the Tinubu’s train leading to 2023 is one full of wisdom, knowledge and experience.

Regardless of what few oppositions may be saying, I tried to look back into the history of campaigns in Nigeria to see if there was any with such a ‘forest of ideas’ to borrow the words of Senator Kashim Shettima. I could not agree that there was such an experience in the past; therefore, I also agree that the ambition leading Tinubu’s outing was a long term ambition indeed.

In Nigeria, no politician succeeds without first conquering the northern gates from Sokoto to Borno. And the northern gates can only be broken by men of wisdom. In the unfolding events leading to success in this struggle, to deliver the Nigeria of our dreams we indeed needs such men and experience. 

When the former Borno governor speaks of leadership as not lifting a bag of cement, there were so many comments by those who may not and perhaps could never understand the deep of such saying. But if digested with unbiased mind, there can be no truth as such. 

Talking about the power of the north, history have shown that in every nation, the northern side has always been the toughest side to governed. Tinubu has conquer the southwest after the  Great Awolowo and it was indeed calculative when he took along with him former governor of Borno state and the current Senator representing Borno Central, Kashim Shettima on this voyage of consultations.  Political management is a top to bottom approach, and so consultations are done with the elites who gives the blessing to go ahead. In his quest to fulfill his long time dream, Tinubu is also demonstrating that indeed age speaks wisdom. 

To speak well and to be heard, a King needs an orator with such eloquence of words as Kashim Shettima stood today. I agree with Tinubu on this, and that is why he can also say with confidence that all consultations were successful.

Although they were in Zamfara, Kano and Katsina on condolences and sympathy visits. Such an occasion also comes with responsibilities in a place where two or more come together. And with leaders, it is always expected that matters left undone be discussed in an atmosphere so sobering as the case was in Zamfara, Kano and Katsina. 

For it is in such occasions that the ears are also wide open as the mouth chooses on what and how to utter. It was also in this manner that the tables of good deeds were turning. So whatever has been discussed politically or otherwise in these circumstances, words and truth from the heart have been spoken. It is therefore, no doubt that they are well accepted and the timing was ripe and right in opening the north for Tinubu.

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For visiting and condoling with the families of the late Sheikh. Ahmad Ibrahim BUK, late Alh. Bashir Usman Tofa and the late Sheikh Ibrahim Datti Ahmad. The political doors were again opened for the next round of the struggles.Of course, these men that have gone ahead in their days welded political acceptance and the political firmament have recalled their spirits in this hour of another political acceptance. 

For Kano is the centre of decision making on where the north should head. Also being received and accompanied by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State was not only the beginning or a show of acceptance but the conclusion of the matter.

The move from Kano to Katsina to also sympathise with the government and the people over the security situation shows that in politics chapters are open when other chapters are closing. This is also about the re-introduction of the ‘man’ to the ‘man’ in whose house Presidents are hosted. And with that understanding the stage was set. And of course, without mincing words, ‘all consultations were successful.’

2023: When Tinubu, Shettima Unlocks the North