Gawuna's defection to ADC, changes the political equation in Kano State

Gawuna's defection to ADC, changes the political equation in Kano State

Early this week, the media space in the country was awash with the news of the defection of New Nigeria People's Party leader and candidate in the 2023 Presidential election, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwanso to the African Democratic Party ( ADC).

Prominent among those who defected to the ADC with him , was the immediate past Deputy Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna.

Prior to his joining the moving train and major opposition party in the country, Gawuna resigned his position as the Chairman of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria ( FMBN) and from the ruling All Progressive Congress ( APC).

Immediately the news of Gawuna's defection, with his former boss, was confirmed, thousands of goodwill messages started pouring in for the grassroots politician with his home turning into a Mecca which is attestation to the believe of many in the State of Commerce, that he has the magic wand to turn around the fortunes of Kano State

Although, Gawuna has not declared openly whether he'll be eyeing any elective position in the state or not but the thousands of supporters who trooped to his family home after the defection, speaks volume that he's the right man Kano State indigenes are waiting for to give them purposeful leadership.

While, it is true that he has not made his political intention known, but a brief look at his profile, indicates that this astute administrator cum politician, has all the credentials to pilot the affairs of the state, if he decides to run for the governorship or any elective position, be it at the state or federal level.

There's no denying the fact that his defection to ADC has jolted the political calculation of Kano State and his supporters are eagerly awaiting his next move with many of them declaring openly that they'll follow him to anywhere in his new political journey to rescue Nigeria.

It's a well known fact that Gawuna is not new to politics, administration or holding public position.

This was a man who served as Chairman of Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State for eight years under the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party ANPP.

In 2014, he was appointed the Kano State Commissioner For Agriculture and Natural Resources and later became the Deputy Governor of the state, following the resignation of Prof. Hafiz Abubakar on 5 August 2018 and served as Deputy Governor till 2023.

His tenure as Commissioner For Agriculture will always be remembered as the best time for farmers in the state; as he introduced improved seedlings, empowerment programmes and soft loans to farmers.

In the area of mechanized farming, he ensured that farmers have access to tractors and fertilizers which led to increased yields that helped reduce cost of food items both in Kano State and other states of the Federation where the foods were transported to.

As a leader who believes in the empowerment of youths through sports, Gawuna who presently is the National President of Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), has ensured that many of the Federation's tournaments are held regularly including the annual Ramat Cup, held in honour of late Military Head of State Gen. Murutala Ramat Mohammed, an indigene of Kano State.

Nasiru Gawuna who was born to the family of Alhaji Yusuf and Hajiya Fatima Shiekh Hassan Gawuna, in Kano city. is a descendant of Garba Gawuna and Sheikh Hassan Gawuna families on the paternal and maternal lineages respectively.

He enrolled in Gawuna Primary School in 1973 and completed his primary school education in 1979 and then proceeded to Government Secondary School Gwaram (now in Jigawa State) where he did his junior secondary school.

After completing his secondary school education at Science Secondary School Dawakin Kudu in 1984, he gained admission into Ahmadu Bello University's School of Basic Studies in Zaria for a year preliminary Course. He finished his preliminary studies in 1985.

He then proceeded to  Usman Danfodiyo University, Kano, where he graduated in 1990 with a degree in Biochemistry and shortly afterwards became actively involved in partisan politics.

As the political situation in the country unfolds with alignments and re- alignment still going on and many Nigerians still speculating on what direction the political stage will finally take, but one thing that is certain is that an astute politician like Gawuna will definitely play an important role in the country's political dispensation come 2027, especially in Kano State and his supporters are eagerly waiting for his next move which many believe will be for the good of the masses.