Even though there is no General Election on the horizon, Nigeria’s political landscape is heating up with bitter clashes between governors and their predecessors.
From Kano to Rivers to Kaduna, this power struggle has become a troubling trend.
In the past, these showdowns usually happened during a governor’s second term. Now, the gloves are coming off much faster. We’re seeing Governors like Sim Fubara (Rivers), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), and Uba Sani (Kaduna) locked in battles with their ex-bosses within their first year in office.
It has been noticed that whatever relationship exists between these politicians usually hits the brick whenever the former attempts to review the latter’s stewardship or when the predecessor wants to control the political structure of the state.
Here are three of the raging feuds between governors and their predecessors…
The Godfather Betrayal: Fubara vs. Wike
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and his godson, Governor Sim Fubara, sprouting battle of supremacy jolted many Nigerians who had assumed erroneously that Governor Fubara is not the type that can raise an eyebrow to his godfather.
Many assumed the Governor would only play a second fiddle to his outspoken boss. But the bone of contention between the duo began when the godfather accused his godson of tampering with his political structure while hobnobbing with his “political foes.”
The two allegations, analysts believe, are unforgivable in politics. To show the rift, political appointees who are loyal to the FCT Minister turned in their resignations in droves. Similarly, about 27 legislatures loyal to Wike equally moved to impeach the governor but failed as the assembly complex was razed on D-day. Many have accused Governor Fubara of being the chief orchestrator of the inferno, which destroyed several vital documents beyond recognition. The allegation however remains unproven.
Despite calls for a truce from prominent figures like President Bola Tinubu, the warring factions remain locked in a bitter battle. Wike’s recent threat to oust Fubara with his loyal legislators is the latest twist to the unending drama that has characterised Rivers State politics lately and threatening to rip the oll-rich city into shreds.
Debt and Deflection: Uba Sani Vs El-Rufai
The recent public criticism of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai by his successor, Governor Uba Sani sent shockwaves through Kaduna and beyond.
Sani, a former senator, accused the El-Rufai administration of taking out massive loans, plunging the state into unprecedented debt.
He further claimed these debts make it difficult to pay civil servants’ salaries.
While El-Rufai had previously disclosed the state’s debt situation,
Sani’s timing sparked speculation that he was deliberately trying to tarnish his predecessor’s image.
El-Rufai has remained silent on the matter, but his supporters have taken to social media to fiercely defend him, accusing Sani of incompetence and deflection tactics.
Concerned about the escalating feud, Salihu Mohd Lukman, a former APC national officer, urged the party to intervene before the situation spirals further out of control.
Proxy War in Kano: Ganduje Vs Abba Kabir Yusuf
The crisis between Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the NNPP and his predecessor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje of the APC is a bit different from the aforementioned in Rivers and Kaduna states
The bitter war began in 2023 after Kabir Yusuf was declared the winner of the governorship election, defeating Ganduje’s handpicked successor, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna.
Not satisfied with the result, Ganduje’s party approached the tribunal, which upturned Yusuf’s victory and declared Gawuna the duly elected governor.
Yusuf and the NNPP quickly approached the appeal court to reclaim their mandate. But in a surprising twist, the appeal court also added salt to their injuries by ruling in favour of the APC.
In an unprecedented judgment, the appeal court judgment also sent Kano to a state of anarchy. By the time the case was tried at the Supreme Court, Abba Yusuf had reclaimed his mandate unanimously.
However, since the apex court reaffirmed Governor Abba Yusuf’s victory, he has continued to tamper with the legacies of his predecessor, Umar Ganduje.
Just two weeks ago, Abba Yusuf commissioned two committees to investigate the APC National Chairman’s government and threatened to sue him over alleged bribery of $413,000, and N1.38 billion.
Not surprisingly, a group in the state, Kano Patriot, quickly berated Yusuf’s decision, saying he was wasting Kano’s resources and his administration’s time on frivolities.
Analysts say the political crisis in Kano is not literally between the governor and his predecessor but between Ganduje and his former principal, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the National Leader of NNPP. They say both are fighting a proxy war.
Only time will tell if Yusuf and Kwankwasso can avoid a similar clash down the line.
While the outcome of these battles remains to be seen, one thing is certain: the power struggle in Nigeria’s political landscape is far from over.
