POWER BELONGS TO GOD: A CALL FOR HUMILITY AND UNITY IN KANO APC.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
October 7, 2026
Politics is temporary, but the consequences of political actions can last for generations. Positions, influence, wealth and political structures may give individuals authority for a period, but no human being can determine with certainty how long such privileges will last.
This is why the current political disagreement involving two prominent Kano APC figures—Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi—should be approached with humility, maturity and fear of God.
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Both men occupy important positions in the National Assembly. Senator Barau serves as Deputy President of the Senate, while Bichi chairs the House Committee on Appropriations, one of the most influential committees in the House of Representatives. The National Assembly’s official record confirms Bichi’s position as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, while the Presidency has also recognised Senator Barau’s position as Deputy President of the Senate.
But there is a fundamental lesson that every politician must remember: positions are ultimately entrusted by God.
When Senator Barau became Deputy President of the Senate, many people supported him politically, but ultimately, a believer understands that human beings can only make efforts; destiny belongs to Almighty God. The same principle applies to Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi. His emergence as Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations is an important political responsibility, but it should also be understood as a trust that can only be held by God’s permission.
Therefore, neither Barau nor Bichi should allow political differences, personal ambition, wealth or the influence of supporters to make them forget the temporary nature of power.
Today you may occupy an important office; tomorrow another person may occupy it. Today you may have thousands of followers; tomorrow political circumstances may change.
That is the nature of politics.
The Qur’an reminds believers that sovereignty belongs to Allah and that He gives authority to whom He wills and takes it away from whom He wills. That lesson should be at the heart of every political decision.
The Danger of Personal Ambition
The concern among many party members is that political competition may gradually become personal confrontation.There is nothing wrong with politicians having different opinions, competing for influence or pursuing legitimate political ambitions. Democracy itself permits disagreement.
The danger begins when personal ambition becomes greater than party unity, when supporters turn political differences into personal attacks, and when individuals begin to behave as though political positions belong to them permanently.
The people need roads, schools, employment, security, economic opportunities and responsible leadership—not endless political quarrels among people who are supposed to be working for them.
The disagreement between political camps should therefore not automatically be attributed to Barau or Bichi personally.
Indeed, recent reports have shown that the disagreement within Kano APC has attracted concern from party stakeholders, with calls for dialogue and reconciliation. One APC chieftain, Aminu Shehu Uba Sharada, recently appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Abdulaziz Yari to intervene and help reconcile competing interests in Kano.
This is significant because it shows that the problem is now bigger than the relationship between two individuals. It has become an issue concerning the stability and future of the APC in Kano.
There are also reports that the party leadership has warned members against factionalism, sabotage and activities capable of undermining party cohesion, while specifically describing Senator Barau as the APC leader in Kano North.This should be a warning to everybody. The APC Must Rediscover the Value of Elders
One disturbing feature of the present situation is the apparent weakness of the traditional system of political elders intervening early enough to prevent disagreements from becoming crises.
Political parties need elders—not merely people who occupy positions, but people who possess wisdom, credibility, patience and the courage to tell their own supporters the truth.
When political disagreements emerge, elders should not wait until supporters begin attacking one another in the media or on social media.They should bring the parties together, They should tell both sides,
“Enough is enough. The party is bigger than any individual.”
There have been allegations and political speculation in some circles suggesting that Senator Abdulaziz Yari, former Governor of Zamfara State and Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, may have some involvement in the ongoing political realignments or disagreements.Such allegations should, however, be treated carefully.
There is no established evidence before the public that proves Senator Yari caused or is personally directing the Barau–Bichi disagreement.
It would therefore be irresponsible to present political speculation as established fact.
Senator Yari is an influential APC figure and has been publicly called upon by some Kano APC stakeholders to assist in reconciliation. That is different from accusing him of creating the crisis.
If he has influence, then that influence should be used to build bridges rather than deepen divisions.
The APC should not underestimate the consequences of internal division. Kano is politically important to any national political party. A divided APC in Kano could create several problems: Loss of grassroots confidence, Defections of influential party members, Weakening of campaign structures ahead of 2027,
Confusion among supporters over party leadership, Reduced ability to mobilise voters, Internal factionalism that could damage candidates at different levels.
Recent reports already indicate that the APC is experiencing political movements and defections in parts of Kano North, while the party leadership itself has acknowledged concerns about internal cohesion.
These developments should not be ignored. Barau and Bichi Have More to Gain from Peace Than Conflict
Senator Barau and Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi are both products of the same political family and belong to the same party.
Whatever their differences may be, they should remember that political relationships change.Yesterday’s opponent may become tomorrow’s ally. Yesterday’s ally may become tomorrow’s opponent.
Therefore, wisdom demands that today’s disagreements should not destroy tomorrow’s possibilities.
Both men should consider the thousands of APC members who look up to them.
The APC national leadership, Kano State leadership and respected political elders should urgently establish a genuine reconciliation process.The objective should not be to determine who “won” the argument.The objective should be to save the party.
Senator Barau should be encouraged to continue demonstrating leadership and restraint.
Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi should equally demonstrate maturity and respect for party cohesion.Their supporters must also be warned that insulting, attacking or humiliating the other camp will only make reconciliation more difficult.
No supporter should love a politician more than the politician loves peace.
At the end of the day, every political office is temporary. Senator Barau will not remain Deputy President of the Senate forever. Abubakar Kabir Bichi will not remain Chairman of the Appropriations Committee forever.
Governors will leave office.
Senators will leave office.
Members of the House of Representatives will leave office.
Party chairmen will leave office.
Even political empires eventually change hands.What remains is the legacy a person leaves behind.
Therefore, the most important question is not:
“Who controls the political structure?”The more important question is: “What kind of legacy are we building?”
If Barau and Bichi can overcome their differences, reconcile and work together for the progress of Kano and the APC, history may remember them as leaders who chose unity over personal rivalry.
But if personal ambition, political calculations and the activities of overzealous supporters are allowed to destroy their relationship, the consequences may extend far beyond the two men.
Power belongs to God. Positions are trusts. Political influence is temporary. But the consequences of our actions can remain long after we have left office. The time has therefore come for humility, dialogue, reconciliation and restraint.
Let the APC put the party before individuals, Kano before factions, and the interest of the people before personal ambition.
Because, ultimately, no human being owns power. We only hold it for a while by the permission of Almighty God.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper October 7th, 2026
