By: Farouk Sadi Kurawa Ph. D Information Technology Specialist, Development Advocate and Policy Analyst.
farouksadi2020@gmail.com
In a constitutional democracy, political alignment is not an activity of emotion but rather a task of strategy, institutional access and development consequences.
In the contemporary political systems, leaders routinely re-underwrite party affiliation in relation to the changing governance realities, national interest and the superseding need to provide quantifiable dividend of democracy to their citizens.
This move of His Excellency, Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Governor of Kano State, to dissociate himself with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and associated himself with a national governing platform, can only be interpreted in the broader sense of the interdependence of the federal and state levels and the maximisation of development.
A federal system like that of Nigeria has a high level of alignment between the sub-national government and the centre that greatly affects the governance especially on matters related to fiscal coordination, infrastructure financing, security architecture and digital transformation.
Systems and information-technology wise, the best way of development is interoperability of institutional nodes.
The digital platforms, much like the political parties, are coordinated structures. An established national party system gives better flow of data, harmonisation of policies and efficiency of policy implementation regarding the governance levels.
Fragmentation on the other hand usually brings about latency, duplication and diminished access to national opportunity.
By the virtue of its national distribution and mastery of federal institutions, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presents a strong governance ecosystem that can be used to rapidly implement massive interventions in infrastructure, education, security, agriculture, innovation, and youth empowerment. Kano State, with its demographic load, intellectual capital, and business suitability will gain great advantages through a more profound involvement in this ecosystem.
Political participation in the scholars, professionals and technocrats should not be limited by slogans and emotional loyalty.
It must be pegged on policy influence, institutional relevance, and ability to influence the outcomes. The availability of a national party platform enables membership which provides systematized policy discussion, reform committees, advisory councils and mechanisms of decision making which have direct influence on the national developmental trajectories.
In addition, a change of politics at this level increases the bargaining power of Kano in the federation.
It enhances the government’s access to Federal programmes, global cooperation, digital economy, research, and strategic appointments, which must be aligned to the governing political structure.
It is thus reasonable and nationalistic that enlightened citizens, especially the academic and professional community, be encouraged to favor political choices based on developmental effectiveness as opposed to partisan nostalgia.
It is not party loyalty, but the development, stability and prosperity of the Kano State.
History always emphasizes the fact that those regions that locate themselves in strategic positions in the structures of national powers have more benefits of development.
Kano cannot afford to be on the periphery of the national decisions making, when it has the population, the intellect, and the leadership to be in the centre.
In this respect, the resolution of His Excellency is a sign of political insightfulness, flexible leadership and adherence to results-oriented governance.
It is worth careful attention, positive interaction, and meaningful contribution by the scholars, professionals, and citizens who really wish to have sustainable development.
