REJOINDER: The Fallacy of the “Commander” and the Burden of Integrity
By Halima Isyaku Dantsoho
I read with a mix of amusement and concern the defense of Hon. Murtala Sule Garo by Hadi Abdullahi Muhammad, which attempts to frame valid scrutiny of a public figure as a mere product of “internal power struggles.” While it may be convenient to label every criticism a “media trial,” we must confront a fundamental truth: leadership is a sacred trust, not a reward for street mobilization.
To suggest that Garo is the ideal choice for Deputy Governor—particularly in the wake of the recent political shift that saw Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf move to the APC—is to ignore the very “storm” the author claims to perceive. The vacancy in the Deputy Governor’s office exists because Kano is striving to move past a season of distraction following the resignation of the former occupant. Why then should the state replace one controversy with another potential liability?
We are speaking of an individual who remains entangled in significant litigation regarding his past tenure as Commissioner. Elevating such a figure to the second-highest office in the state would be akin to putting out a fire with petrol. It would inevitably lock the administration into a cycle of legal defense, where governance is overshadowed by courtroom battles, and the pressing needs of the people are relegated to the background.
The author praises Garo as a “Commander” of the grassroots. However, in a state as economically vital as Kano, mobilization cannot substitute for administrative integrity. The so-called grassroots—the traders, farmers, and youths—are often the first to suffer when public funds are allegedly mismanaged at the local government level. True loyalty to the people is demonstrated not through political patronage or the distribution of startup tools during election cycles, but through transparent governance and the protection of public resources.
If the APC national leadership, along with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is genuinely committed to the “Renewed Hope” agenda, then it must align its actions with its rhetoric. Elevating a figure burdened with unresolved legal controversies undermines the very integrity the party seeks to project in this new political era.
Perfection may not be attainable in leadership, but accountability is non-negotiable. Fairness does not imply overlooking serious allegations in favor of political popularity; rather, it demands that due process be respected. Let the courts determine a man’s standing before he is entrusted with the prestige and responsibility of high office.
Kano has entered a new political phase. It is therefore imperative that leadership choices reflect a commitment to stability, credibility, and progress—not a regression into the controversies of the past.
Halima Isyaku Dantsoho
Freelance Journalist, Kano
