Salisu Yakasai, also known as Dawisu, has hit back at former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, accusing him of opposing President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform policies due to personal interests.
The heated exchange comes after Kwankwaso’s recent criticism of Tinubu’s policies, including his claim that the ‘Lagos Axis’, a term he used to describe Tinubu’s supporters, is attempting to dominate the North with its policies.
In a statement shared on Monday through his X account, Dawisu, who served as a spokesperson for former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, responded angrily to Kwankwaso’s remarks. He said the former governor’s stance on the reforms was driven by selfish motives, as the new policies did not align with his personal or political interests.
Kwankwaso’s Criticism of Tinubu’s Policies
Kwankwaso, in his public statements, expressed frustration with the direction Tinubu’s government was taking, particularly in regard to the tax reform bills. The former governor accused Tinubu of meddling in Kano State politics, claiming that the policies were part of a larger effort to impose influence on northern Nigeria through the ‘Lagos Axis.’
Kwankwaso’s accusations were stark, claiming that the policies were aimed at undermining the political power of the north while benefiting the south. His comments, however, have sparked intense backlash from those who see the opposition as an attempt to protect his own interests and power base.
Dawisu’s Response: A Call to Remember the Past
In his response, Dawisu took Kwankwaso to task, pointing to what he described as historical amnesia on the part of the former governor. He reminded Kwankwaso of an event from 2014, during the tenure of the former President Goodluck Jonathan, when the ‘Lagos Axis’ played a significant role in Kano’s political affairs.
Dawisu recounted how, in 2014, the same ‘Lagos Axis’ that Kwankwaso now criticizes had intervened in the selection of the Emir of Kano after the death of Emir Ado Bayero. According to Dawisu, Kwankwaso had worked with the ‘Lagos Axis’ to impose Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, despite opposition from the majority of Kano people and the fact that Sanusi was not even one of the top three nominees recommended by the traditional kingmakers.
“It’s funny how we quickly forget history,” Dawisu wrote in his statement. “In 2014, when Emir Ado Bayero died, this same ‘Lagos Axis’ flew into Kano, met with you as the then Governor of Kano, and lobbied for SLS to be made the Emir against the wishes of the majority of Kanawa, just to spite Jonathan.”
An Agreement for Political Gain
Dawisu further pointed out that Kwankwaso had agreed to the intervention of the ‘Lagos Axis’ in the selection process, with the understanding that the political group would support his presidential ambitions in 2019. According to Dawisu, Kwankwaso’s willingness to accept the ‘Lagos Axis’ interference at the time shows a clear alignment with Tinubu and his supporters, despite Kwankwaso’s current opposition to them.
“You agreed to it after the ‘Lagos Axis’ promised to support your presidential ambitions in 2019,” Dawisu added. This, he suggested, made Kwankwaso’s current criticisms of Tinubu’s policies appear contradictory and self-serving.
The Fight Over Tinubu’s Tax Reforms
Tinubu’s recent tax reforms have been a topic of much debate, with various political figures and analysts voicing support and criticism. The reforms, aimed at improving Nigeria’s tax system and boosting government revenues, have been met with resistance from some quarters, particularly from political leaders who feel that the new policies may not align with their own agendas.
Kwankwaso’s opposition to these reforms is seen by some as part of a larger political battle in which he is positioning himself against Tinubu’s growing influence. For Kwankwaso, whose political career has been closely tied to the politics of Kano State and northern Nigeria, the tax reforms represent more than just fiscal policy – they symbolize a shift in political power that could undermine his influence.