Political Issues
The Legend of Ganduje -By Gimba Kakanda
He succeeded in portraying the emir as the preacher who never practised what he preached, and himself a defender of the people, before he balkanised the emirate to appeal to mass sentiments. An idiot wouldn’t come up with such strategy.
The heirship politics in our wait for the new Emir of Zazzau, which has just ended, led to comparisons of Governors Nasir El-Rufai and Abdullahi Ganduje. One commentator summarily dismissed Ganduje as lacking in some tissues upstairs, and unequal to his Kaduna state counterpart.
Unfortunately, this undermining of the man is the reason he is what he is. In my line of trade, international relations, Ganduje would be considered a master strategist. He’s unassuming but ruthless, and more intelligent than we tend to assume. Our takes on his actions are a matter of our morality, but Ganduje is what we read about in 48 Laws of Power.
Ganduje’s biggest asset is his unpredictability. He seems benign, but dangerous, and his success in neutralising his perceived enemies, from Kwankwaso to Sanusi, shows how much we have underestimated this political tactician.
That his former principal, Kwankwaso, too underestimated his might is telling. But Ganduje didn’t attempt to outshine his master when he was a deputy, he waited to be in charge before he struck. He also didn’t pounce on Sanusi until he masterminded a campaign to tear his reputation apart, exposing his questionable management of the Kano Emirate finances, among others. He succeeded in portraying the emir as the preacher who never practised what he preached, and himself a defender of the people, before he balkanised the emirate to appeal to mass sentiments. An idiot wouldn’t come up with such strategy.
If I were to choose a leader in a time of war, I’ll consider Ganduje over El-Rufai – and this isn’t an approval of his political morality. It’s a quest for survival. I can predict el-Rufai, and even be able to prepare for him based on his posturing, utterances and threats to, say, send his enemies back in bodybags. I’ll be prepared for the bodybags. So, Ganduje’s strength is this impression that he’s docile, and intellectually hollow.
The end game of every political strategy is acquisition of power, and defying moral restrictions. Despite the storms, Ganduje is still in power. He’s demonstrated his ruthlessness beyond doubts, and you may be digging your graves by taking him for granted. The teacher of this school of thought, Machiavelli, once said it’s better to be feared than loved.
