After the euphoria that greeted his declaration to run the 2011 presidential race, there has been an unusual quietness in the camp of Kano State two-term Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.

Shekarau raised dusts when he stormed the International Conference Centre, Abuja on August 5, 2010 to declare his bid to rule Africa’s most populous country on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP.

Described by pundit as ‘ the beginning of new dawn,’ a  crowd of people that mattered politically in the country attended the event.

Barely a week after that epoch declaration, the  Governor of the most populous state in the northern region embarked on spiritual journey to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he stayed and observed the one month Muslim Fast.

Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.

While in Saudi Arabia, his party was thrown into confusion over a succession dispute in which the leadership of Edwin Ume Ezeoke survived an ‘attempted coup’ to oust it.

The plot allegedly led by Bolaji Khaleel, the Director General of Shekarau Campaign Organization, triggered an exchange of brick bats between Shekarau’s men and those opposed to the idea of  change in the leadership of the party.

As it were, the ANPP was heading for the precipice but was rescued by the intervention of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The bad blood generated by the botched plot  was carried over to the party’s National Convention that saw Shekarau’s men losing grip of the party structure to Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff.

The defeat of Shekarau’s men at the convention perhaps explains why his ‘detractors went to town with a story that the Kano-born administrator had opted out of the presidential contest for the senatorial seat of  Kano Central.

In a swift reaction, Bolaji Khaleel denied that Shekarau has dropped his aspiration.

In a  statement, he said that “considering the caliber of people from over the country that attended and gave goodwill addresses at the highly successful Shekarau for President Declaration, there was no way that the occasion was not serious intent.”

The statement further explains: “Malam Shekarau has never contemplated vying for Senate or any other seat apart from the presidential ticket he seeks on the platform of the ANPP.”

Khaleel added that “Malam Shekarau, the Sardaunan Kano and Governor of Kano state is 100 per cent committed to pursuing his aspiration to seek the Presidential ticket of ANPP.”

Indeed, while Bolaji and his team may have stated the obvious, the fact remains that Shekarau’s style and approach towards realizing his dream are not as hot as they ought to be .

Interestingly, Shekarau  provided a clue to why he softened his campaign strategy during a recent visit to the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God Worldwide, Pastor E.A. Adeboye at his residence in Redemption Camp along Lagos – Ibadan Express way, Ogun State.

He told the revered cleric: ‘I am not desperate to become Nigeria’s president’, pointing out that what he was after was to ensure that the country got the good leadership she desired to forge ahead.

The ANPP Presidential aspirant explains further: “If by tomorrow, we identify whoever it is as a credible aspirant, we are prepared to join hands to allow him to be regardless of political or tribal leaning.”

The Kano Governor stressed that Nigerians must identify with credible people to lead them regardless of party platform, emphasizing that he had decided to contest the 2011 presidential election to prove to the citizens of this country that “indeed there are good people who can serve them.”

Governor Shekarau challenged the clergy in the country to educate the people that Nigeria had a destiny and that each and every adult citizen had a responsibility to ensure that Nigeria was governed well.

According to the teacher turned administrator, his visit to Pastor Adeboye was not a question of wanting support for his presidential aspiration “but to see how he can work with like minds to move the nation forward.”

Shekarau’s frank talk came on the heel of an endorsement and pledge from his associates in Kano to lend their support to his presidential ambition.

The Group, under the banner of veterans of All Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, led by Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa, said that Shekarau candidacy was a true reflection of the Nigerian dream

The endorsement came after an exhaustive meeting at the African House, Government House Kano. Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa pledged that the retired teachers would mobilize resources for the realization of the dream.

Arogbofa said that Malam Shekarau’s sterling qualities should be exploited to bail the country out of the socio_economic quagmire unleashed by nearly 12 years of the People Democratic Party, PDP’s rule.

The meeting, which attracted members from the 36 states of the Federation stressed that Shekarau’s record in Kano was convincing to warrant total support from progressive thinking Nigerians.

Arogbofa noted that the timing of Shekarau presidency was apt as “Nigerians continue to witness the disintegration of ruling party in the country,” adding that the battle would be an easy one with his candidacy.

His words: We want a better Nigeria with what had happened in this country and we did not want things to get worse. We are gathered here for the emergence of a new Nigeria and these leaders come from every nook and cranny of this country. They are senior citizens of this country.

We are doing this because of our concerns and we like other Nigerians to follow suit. We would like you to make it clear that we value good things and  we aspire for a better Nigeria, which explains why we have decided to do the necessary sacrifice to achieve greatness.”

Arogbofa maintained that their support for Shekarau’s candidacy was informed by his ability to nip in the bud the ethno-religious crisis in the state, adding that ‘Shekarau decision to include non-natives in his cabinet was worthy of emulation by others.

Following the long lull, Shekarua’s visit to Pastor Adeboye seems to mark a new beginning in his campaigns.
It is to be seen whether or not the renewed vigour in Shekarau’s march to Aso rock can be sustained.