It takes decades to build a political empire, yet it can be dismantled in a matter of days. But why has the Kwankwasiyya movement, which took years to grow, proven difficult to weaken?
The Red Cap Movement, popularly known as Kwankwasiyya, was birthed around 2009 during Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s local government tour across Kano State. Following his return as governor in 2011, Kwankwaso adopted the iconic white attire, red cap and black shoes — a dressing style inspired by the late Malam Aminu Kano. According to Aminu Kano’s philosophy: white represents hope, red cap depicts sacrifice and struggle, while black shoes symbolise African pride.
Over the past fifteen years, the Kwankwasiyya movement has grown stronger — posing a major threat to Kano’s political atmosphere. There is therefore an urgent need to contain it and consign it to history, as a case study only worthy of political science students at Mambayya House.
But the question remains — how can we defeat a well-established, cult-like movement by 2027?
The answer lies with Kano APC, but only if we are ready to make serious realignments in our modus operandi. First, we must regroup, change strategies and embrace merit over bloodline politics.
Truth be told, the party still lacks a comprehensive register of ’yan akwatin (polling booth agents), while many hardworking grassroots loyalists, especially the youth, are not benefitting. Instead, elders continue to monopolise access to appointments and benefits.
In recent years, the Kwankwasiyya camp has successfully used populist street language and intimidation tactics to scare off opponents. Our response should not be to mimic them — rather, we must use a smarter, opposite strategy: opposites repel, unlike terms attract.
Presently, APC in Kano is in disarray and needs a capable hand to reengineer it — someone energetic, youth-friendly, surrounded by fresh thinkers with a sprinkle of old political warhorses. If I am to pick such a person without hesitation, I will nominate Rabiu Suleiman Bichi. As former campaign director, he delivered results and can lead a winning team capable of defeating Kwankwasiyya within a short time.
In my view, all political appointees and elected officials from Kano under APC should be mandated to pay monthly dues as stipulated in our party constitution. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin must also overhaul his empowerment programmes: target core party loyalists — even beyond his constituency — spend more time in Kano, and avoid over-pampering defectors.
We must ensure that during the upcoming party congresses, members are allowed to freely choose their leaders — the era of “unity lists” must end.
If we fail to implement these simple recommendations, then we might as well accept that we are silently rebuilding the Red Cap Movement ourselves. The journey of a thousand miles must begin now.
Dankano is Chairman, Rwinwin. He writes from Kano.
