By Ismail Auwal
Bashir Ahmad, the Personal Assistant on New Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, and Salihu Tanko Yakasai, the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Ganduje, have engaged in a war of words over the dilapidation and congested nature of roads in Kano as well as Federal Government’s infrastructure.
It all started when Ahmad commended Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El Rufai on road construction in his state and urged his counterpart in Kano to follow suit.
“Kudos to @elrufai. Such could be the solution to Kano’s problem at the moment. Most of the roads in our state are in terrible condition. The ones we have need to be reconstructed and extended to accommodate millions of Keke NAPEP and cars plying the roads on a daily basis,” he tweeted on December 28, 2020.
However, Yakasai’s response was: “Thank God Kano and Kaduna will have completed projects to leave for their states in 2023 as a legacy that will boost socio-economic development of the states and indeed the north. By the way, December is almost over and work is yet to commence on the Kano-Ibadan rail line as promised”.
However, as if the matter ended, the Presidential aide tweeted on Kano again and narrated his experience with the reckless activities of tricycle operators, known in local parlance as Adaidaitasahu, or Keon Kano roads, and challenged the state government to come up with a strategy to handle their recklessness.
“I went to Sabon Gari market today, an unpleasant experience! The ‘reckless’ Keke napep riders in Kano are making driving in most of parts of the state very difficult. We’d love to see the State Govt comes up with a strategy to handle them. I commend the KAROTA for trying their best” he tweeted on his verified Twitter account.
Went to Sabon Gari market today, an unpleasant experience! The ‘reckless’ Keke napep riders in Kano are making driving in most of parts of the state very difficult. We’d love to see the State Govt comes up with a strategy to handle them. I commend the KAROTA for trying their best
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) December 30, 2020
Tanko, in a reaction to Bashir’s challenge, asked if all is fine at the Presidential Villa?
“Lol! You want the state govt to come up with a strategy to handle them, yet you’re commending KAROTA (the State Govt agency saddled with the exact responsibility) for their effort. Is everything OK at the Villa Mallam Bashir?”
Lol! You want the state govt to come up with a strategy to handle them, yet you're commending KAROTA (the State Govt agency saddled with the exact responsibility) for their effort. Is everything OK at the Villa Mallam Bashir? 😂😂😂 https://t.co/L6EKEWSkQO
— Peacock (@dawisu) December 30, 2020
In a swift reaction, the presidential aide answered in affirmative, “Yes, everything is okay at the Villa.”
He further added, “Commending KAROTA for their services (controlling traffics) and calling on Kano state government to come up with a strategy to handle the reckless Keke napep riders are definitely two different things. Help the government with a strategy pls.”
Commending KAROTA for their services (controlling traffics) and calling on Kano state government to come up with a strategy to handle the reckless Keke napep riders are definitely two different things. Help the government with a strategy pls
Yes, everything is okay at the Villa. https://t.co/plDPgfOqXg
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) December 30, 2020
Salihu Tanko Yakasai who has been a regular critic of President Buhari’s Administration was in October this year suspended for condemning President Muhammadu Buhari’s handling of critical issues affecting the lives of the ordinary Nigerians. He was, however, later reinstated within less than a month on suspension.
