AN EVERLASTING BOND OF LOYALTY AND GRATITUDE TO MY BOSS, GANDUJE—Comrade Mohammed Garba.
By:– Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu, Democracy Newsline Newspaper
June 28th, 2025.
It is with a heart overflowing with profound gratitude and unwavering loyalty that, Comrade Mohammed Garba, offer this deeply personal reflection—a tribute not merely to a political leader, but to a man whose influence has shaped the very fabric of my life: His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR.
A Beginning Marked by Trust.
My journey with Dr. Ganduje began in the formative days of my public service career, during his tenure as Deputy Governor to Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso in Kano State. In those corridors of power, often laced with intrigue and shifting allegiances, Dr. Ganduje extended to me something rare: trust.
Appointing him as Chief Press Secretary in his office, he entrusted me with a pivotal role that would become my launching pad into the heart of governance. I was not just there to disseminate information—I was there to observe, to learn, and to absorb the tenets of leadership at close range. It was a masterclass in political patience, strategic foresight, and public engagement.
Dr. Ganduje never saw me merely as a subordinate. He saw potential. He nurtured it, challenged it, and gave it room to grow. And through this mentorship, I began to understand what true leadership looks like—not in the comfort of easy decisions, but in the weight of responsibility carried with grace and humility.
The Rise of a Statesman
As he ascended to become the Executive Governor of Kano State, his leadership matured into a legacy of infrastructural transformation, educational reform, and pragmatic political stewardship. In this evolution, I too was carried along—not as a mere observer, but as a trusted ally. From one assignment to another, his confidence in my abilities never waned.
Dr. Ganduje is a man whose heart has no space for vengeance. He is a leader who prefers reconciliation to retaliation. In a political environment often dominated by suspicion and rivalry, this alone sets him apart. He leads with a clean conscience, and that clarity of heart has become his armor—protecting him through storms and raising him even when others expected his fall.
Beyond Positions: A Lifelong Influence
To merely count the positions he afforded me would be to miss the larger picture. Dr. Ganduje gave me platforms, yes—but more than that, he gave me perspective. He helped me to see beyond the titles, to understand the responsibility that comes with every office, and the necessity of remaining grounded in service, not self-interest.
He never once asked for blind loyalty. Instead, he earned mine through his actions—through sleepless nights spent pondering the future of our state, through moments of personal kindness when no one was watching, through a consistent and tireless devotion to those around him.
I am not loyal to him because it is politically convenient. I am loyal because it is morally right. Because loyalty is the only currency with which I can repay the incalculable debt of mentorship, compassion, and belief he invested in me.
A Legacy Etched in Hearts
Now, as he continues to contribute to Nigeria’s democratic evolution—most recently as National Chairman of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC)—I stand firmly by his side. Not because I must, but because I choose to. Because I know the man behind the public figure. And because I have felt the impact of his leadership not in press releases, but in personal milestones.
His story is not just that of a governor or a party chieftain. It is the story of a nation builder, a people’s leader, and for me, a life changer. History may record his policies and projects—but we, his mentees and comrades, will testify of his heart.
A Prayer for the Journey Ahead
As I close this tribute, I do so with a sincere prayer:
Ya Allah, continue to bless Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje with wisdom, strength, and unshakable peace. Let his name be remembered not only in books, but in the lives of men like me whom he helped shape and elevate. Reward his loyalty, protect his integrity, and grant him enduring relevance in the affairs of this nation.
For me, Comrade Mohammed Garba, this is not a farewell to an era—but a reaffirmation of a bond that transcends politics. A bond built on trust, gratitude, and shared purpose.
I will walk with Dr. Ganduje through sunshine and storm—for such leaders are rare, and such debts of honor must never go unpaid.
Additional Biographical Context
About Comrade Mohammed Garba:
A seasoned journalist, public relations expert, and former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mohammed Garba has served in multiple governmental roles under the stewardship of Dr. Ganduje. His tenure as Commissioner of Information in Kano State was marked by transparency-focused communication reforms and strategic media engagement. Garba remains one of the most consistent voices of loyalty within the political structure surrounding Dr. Ganduje.
About Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR:
Dr. Ganduje, a veteran administrator and astute political strategist, served as Deputy Governor of Kano State from 1999 to 2003 and again from 2011 to 2015. He was elected Governor in 2015 and re-elected in 2019, leaving behind a record of infrastructural development, healthcare advancements, and political inclusivity. In 2023, he emerged as National Chairman of the APC, positioning himself as a stabilizing force in national party politics.
