By Sani Danaudi Mohammed
Conspiracy theories in Nigeria are mere beliefs that an event or situation in politics is the result of secretive collusion by powerful people striving to harm a rival group or undermine society in general.Such theories draw from actual conspiracies, in which individuals work together covertly in order to unravel a larger system.Often, the struggle between a real conspiracy theory and a misconception of one leads to conflict, polarization in elections, distrust in government ,racial and political divisions.If there is one Nigerian that suffered the victimization and social Media campaign against his character is Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje OFR and this Column will furnish the esteem readers with his success stories.
They begin and spread from politically charged circumstances, individual’s partisan affiliations and online platforms that form echo chambers with like-minded individuals.The sad reality is that, Nigerians easily buy in and beliefs in most of these political conspiracies on the social Media that are use to dismantle the hard earned image of others for personal and selfish political gains.If there is a Nigerian alive that succeeded in transversing through the nights of political conspiracies planted against his person is Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje OFR,TheNational Chairman of the rulling All Progressive Congress.
Ganduje is known to be Rabiu Kwankwaso’s longtime friend.He was Kwankwaso’s special adviser and deputy when he was minister of defense (2003-2007) and governor of Kano state (1999-2003; 2011-2015).The above inscriptions is that,He indisputably doubles as a beneficiary of Kwankwaso friendship and a victim of godfatherism.He was born 74 years ago to a Fulani family in the village of Ganduje, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State.History has proven that they have traveled a distance beyond political lines. They were best of friends but the dirty game of the Nigerian politics has kept them far away from each other.
The phrase Politics is not for the faint-hearted Nigerian,it is as old as the hills and it has a morality of its own that should not be destroy for selfish political gains.Neither of these two often quoted phrases, though,could have envisaged the depths of desperation now being demonstrated by political leaders in Nigeria in their attempt to retain political relevance. Going memory lane,one may surprise to read a considerable memory of Kwankwaso and Ganduje who have been long friends but seem to be having a dramatic ends.
The Second law of power states that,
Never put too much trust in friends, learn how to use enemies.Be wary of friends,they will betray you more quickly, for they are easily aroused to envy.They also become spoiled and tyranical. But hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a friend, because he has more to prove. In fact, you have more to fear from friends than from enemies. If you have no enemies, find a way to make them.I may not be wrong,if I said Ganduje have been a victim of friends and trust.
Power threat is a constant risk within organizations since it is not a stable attribute or resource but is dynamic and socially related .Many reasons may result in a leader’s perceived threats or insecurity about losing power, especially the leader’s personality either benevolent or malevolent.Ganduje have been a loyal and humble personality all his life but disappointing friends and political associates have forced him to lost them all at a sudden.The Man Ganduje some of us are fortune and privileged to meet is not the same Ganduje been ridicule in the social Media.His perseverance, dept understanding of issues and endear love for those he represents is second to none.
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They spent huge amount of funds sponsoring conspiracies theories against him ignoring his triumphs and success stories.As an Executive Governor of Kano State,he was able to achieved the following for history and posterity to judge.Disbursements of billions assistance to local seed producers and training of farmers and extension agents on safe and effective use of pesticides,environmental issues and seed certification.Recruitment of 729 extension workers and trained them in partnership with national and international development agencies and distribution of motorcycles to the extension staff on 40 per cent loan discount.
The history of what is called Kano today is incomplete without mentioning the name of the herdsman Ganduje who despite the political conspiracies against him was able to achieved so much during his reign as an Executive Governor of the State. Why are his conspiracies benefactors afraid to tell the world that ,He Constructed Flyovers of international Standards to ease traffic in strategic locations such as Court road,Zoo road,Asibitin Murtala , Ibrahim Taiwo Road, France Road,Kofar Ruwa ,Gadon Kayak,Sabon Titi Dorayi,Hotoro NNPC,Kabuga,Ibedu Road and Kwari.He has equally constructed Metropolitan and rural roads in areas like Yusuf, Bompai, Kwaranga, Dakata Bella, Kings Garden Tudunmurtala, Burumburum Siyasa and Kibbiya Rano.
These are the same people who keep parading videos of himself allegedly collecting bribe.The world have to come to terms,such videos and many cook and bull stories been peddled on the social Media are aim at tarnishing his name and his image only.Nigerians are so shocked to notice that such unidentified videos resurface only at the peak of elections and now that his party has ratified him as the National Chairman of the rulling All Progressive Congress.It was the same tactics they applied to ruin his second term ambition but he triumphed despite all gang of rape against his image.As he took an oath of office as the National Chairman of the rulling All Progressive Congress,the hunts seem to have assumed another new dimension.
If you want the truth to go round the world, you must hire an express train to pull it, but if you want a lie to go round the world, it will fly,it is as light as a feather, and a breath will carry it.
A lie will go round the world while the truth is pulling its boots on.From the above assertion, it is apposite to infer that amidst the present
advancement in the area of information communication technology,social media serve as that breath that carries lies across the globe.Social media is a group of internet-based applications that are built on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0 and that allow the creation and exchange of user Generated Content.
Ganduje is no doubt a victim of the social Media bruhaha as evidence from extant studies revealed that social media serves as an aircraft that carries all the lies in the form of conspiracy theories and misinformation regarding his image especially his personality.
conspiracy theories have continued to flourish on social media, raising fear and anxiety that such content is fueling the spread
of disinformation where he is not excepted. The nomination and withdrawal of Maryam Shetty from kano in the Ministerial list is still fresh on the air. The question not yet answer is ,How will such a nominee emanate from Kano where Ganduje is the leader of the party without his consent? Those accusing him of recommending her replacement with Dr. Mariya who served as Commissioner of higher education when he was Governor doesn’t understands how power works.
It is evident that ever since the beginning of Ganduje political journey, there is an overwhelming presence of conspiracy theories against him on social media platforms in
Nigeria and the world at large.It is also pertinent to note that ignorance,lack of censorship and insufficient counter information on social media platforms are
some of the possible factors that aided the spread of Politicalconspiracy theories among social media users in Nigeria.The irony is that, everything regarding his achievements and success stories particularly the massive transportation of Kano and now his emergence as the National Chairman of All Progressive Congress are under reported.
Danaudi,Public Affairs Analyst and Columnist writes from Bauchi via [email protected].
