By Sagir Sadisu Buhari FCAI
Democracy means “Government of the people by the people and for the people” as defined by Former President of the United States of America (USA), Abraham Lincoln.
It recognizes the equality of all people and allows for the use of decision-making which ensures that the will of the people prevails.
By allowing for the free competition of ideas among citizens, democracy improves the ability of a nation to solve its problems. It has also been suggested that a basic feature of democracy is the capacity of all voters to participate freely and fully in the democratic dispensation. It is also characterized as a form of political collectivism because it is defined as a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal right before the law.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) as a political party was formed on the 6th of February 2013. The party came into being as a result of an alliance of the then three biggest opposition parties: the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
The party received approval from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 31st July, 2013 to become a registered political party.
In November 2013, five serving PDP governors and legislators joined the APC. This gave the party the majority in the National Assembly and subsequently won the General election in 2015 and 2019, which made Muhammad Buhari the President.
It also repeated the same in the recent 2023 general elections in which Bola Ahmad Tinubu emerged as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
As earlier mentioned, politics is all about loyalty, honesty and trustworthiness. Leaders that want to succeed in leadership and governance would definitely choose those with absolute loyalty to lead the party.
This is one of the reasons the APC stakeholders believe that to consolidate on the party’s gains, there must be a loyal, experienced and trusted national chairman. Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje possesses these qualities. As a former two-term, deputy governor and two term executive governor, he has a strong belief in party supremacy, aside from his being a strong political ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje PhD, OFR is a self-actualized leader, who knows how to get to his destination. He has been in the game of politics for decades, right from the second republic.
The one-time Kano State Assistant Secretary of National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1979 to 1980 is a commanding officer in political games.
Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is a visionary leader with a visionary mind. He would always seek and make decisions at the right time.
He joined the People’s Democracy Party (PDP) in 1998 and aspired to be the Party’s Gubernatorial Candidate, but as destiny will have it, he later became the running mate of Engr. Rabiu Kwankwaso.
This demonstrated that indeed politics is not a do-or-die affair to him, but a game in which one has to make a lot of political calculations, strategies, sacrifices and above all loyalty to one’s party.
Dr Ganduje’s showed a good exemplary leadership style by accepting to be the Deputy Gubernatorial Candidate of his Party then.
The former governor is an exceptional political leader who possesses unique characteristics that you would hardly find in most politicians, i.e humility, honesty, righteousness and loyalty. This is a political leader who is not only a University’ graduate but possesses Master’s Degree and PhD degree in Public Administration from University of Ibadan.
Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is not only an academic but also a technocrat and an accomplished administrator par excellence. His patience and perseverance made it possible for him to withstand all political hurdles, intrigues and political challenges both within and outside his party.
He understands the political terrain and also masters the internal and external party politics.
One thing I have noticed about Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is that he is a leader who is moving above himself and serving the society.
He stands above any personal views of his own and is independent of any attachment to a specific agenda, but to serve the people and provide good leadership. He is focused on specific, achievable and measurable goals and a leader who demands outcomes. He does not get distracted; this is one good thing about Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje PhD, OFR.
He is level-headed and has a good sense of humor; a leader who is always with the people both in good and sad times. Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is more of a collaborator than a competitor.
He tries to build bridges rather than destroy them. He is a natural mediator rather than one that creates conflict, tension or separation. His goals, whether small or large, are reasonable and achievable and directed towards the long term results not quick and temporary fixes that backfire.
He survived all political storms by remaining calm and composed, while knowing that the party and people make the final choice in all political games. This gave him a chance to make history in Kano State as the only politician who succeeded both as two term Deputy Governor and two term Executive Governor and now because of his loyalty, honesty, patience and trustworthiness is on his way to becoming the National Chairman of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
(In Sha Allah)
God Willing.
Indeed Power and Authority Belongs to Allah (SWT). May Allah (Subhanuhu Wata Ala) guide our leaders right and bless our country, Nigeria.
Alhamdulilah.
SAGIR SADISU BUHARI FCAI,
Former Director General: Research and Documentation Directorate, Govt House, Kano State.
buharisageer@gmail.com
