By Mahmoud Muhammad Kano
Yusuf Hamisu Mairago, chairman of NIMASA and a prominent APC figure, has publicly defended Governor Uba Sani, insisting that no individual can derail the governor’s mandate to serve Kaduna’s 11 million residents. Speaking at an APC stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna South, Mairago praised Sani’s relentless work ethic, highlighting security gains (re‑opening of Birnin Gwari and Giwa roads) and infrastructure upgrades that have lifted Kaduna’s profile nationally and internationally .
He warned detractors to “desist” from interference, framing Sani as a leader who “doesn’t sleep” and remains accountable only to God and the people.
Conversely, a wave of opinion pieces (Emmanuel Ado’s columns in Newsdiaryonline, News Express, Blueprint, and others) portrays Mairago as a loyal “counselor” whose influence over Sani is being mischaracterized by political opponents. These articles label attacks on Mairago as “misinformation” and “character assassination,” arguing that his closeness to the governor is a strategic asset rather than a liability. They stress that Mairago’s role is advisory, not executive, and that his support has helped Sani navigate religious and community tensions, including the governor’s attendance at a Christmas carol to promote unity .
The narrative thus splits into two camps: Mairago’s own statements that position him as a steadfast defender of Sani’s agenda, and defensive commentaries that frame him as a behind‑the‑scenes strategist under siege from rival political actors. The “clash of titans” emerges from this tension between public endorsement and alleged political sabotage, with each side using media platforms to shape perception of power dynamics in Kaduna.
Additional twist: insiders now say their once‑solid friendship has soured, with both men’s “good omen” of mutual benefit turning into rivalry. Sources close to the APC claim that after months of back‑room negotiations, Mairago feels sidelined by Sani’s growing independent streak, while the governor’s camp suspects Mairago of leaking internal strategies to opposition figures. This shift from camaraderie to competition adds a personal edge to the political showdown, making the upcoming state elections a true test of loyalty and power.
By Mahmoud Muhammad, he is the Editor-in-Chief and former, Leadership bureau chief Sokoto Kebbi Zamfara, contact indagi3792@gmail.com
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