Nigerian politics is usually all too charged with ethnic-fueled hate and anger. Up to the point that objectivity even when needed is passed on for expression of self righteous criticism and vitriol.

The dailies and this very forum are filled with an array of northern aspirants visiting all corners of the country to solicit support for their 2019-all very soon- ambitions. Political analysts of no too certain pedigree have drawn up charts and formulated calculations permuting some supposed winning combination or the other. The mantra is same everywhere, so and so alhaji is more national-oriented or widely admired and loved than the old 'vegetable' in the Villa. The old man will never stand a chance they say... however, a further look at the true dynamic of political culture in the north really strikes down the calls and hopes of the pundits.. need I say more? well yes I have to.

Cultures and beliefs contain the values and symbols of a people. Their relations with themselves, other people, also that with the 'spirit', which is usually immanent in the doctrines of whatever religion or cults( way of life definition, not the naija connotation) that over see their dealings. A society that as a result of historical experience has had to deal with challenges and problems of governance, freedom and justice internally and externally after a while differentiates into sectors that emerge to rule the affairs of the people. In the north where this cumulative experience is well entrenched as a result of the existence of city states with clear hierarchical structures is perhaps the most developed in this regard within Nigeria.

Yes, the political sector does exercise power, but it needs the legitimation of the religious sector which can guard the social through the approval of norms and mores, traditional authority(in the north of theocratic substance) and the military( well secure for northern interests after 1966).
Mind you, without the legitimation the political sector will always remain prone to revolt and possibly deposition. The most popular victim of this was General Ironsi. His govt wasn't acknowledged or deemed as legit and thus suffered the mutiny that ate it up in the military. Military leaders like Gowon too had to seek approval from these same sectors for continuance in power. He was not there by his volition or power and he knew that. This is just to give you a picture of how focused the society up there can get.

Now bringing it to modern day politics. We have Bubu entering into power on an image of northern fraternity subsumed within the overall Nigerian image. People seem to think that he is there because he is a northerner... So another northerner can just come in and defeat him. Uh-uh.. no! The man has been modeled as an embodiment of northern values approved by the clergy of its political culture. This speaks volumes concerning the societal organization of that part of the country. As the political, religious and traditional all work in unison-regardless of personal feelings, as yes not all like him personally- toward consolidating their bloc interest against the 'other' which is pdp or the south or whatever you will.

Applying this to Atiku or kwankwaso you should perhaps see why the latter cannot enter kano and the former is viewed as nothing but a 'queer rapacious thief'. For those who are maybe Pdp/Wike or Fayose fans u shake their hands and put hope in them for your dreamed-up victory scenario. but if you live in the north or understand the overall image of this men then you know. If you know, you know eh ?

The other candidates suffer a legitimacy problem and do not come close to unseating the man. Rather one of those from the 'Not too young to run' cohort would hve fared better, as there is not quite yet a definition or label attached to them. But even for these candidates, the scale and infrastructure of 'big man/money' patronage politics is against them.

NOTE: These are all quite apart from the machinery of state available to an incumbent.. So think about it!

You are trying so hard to convince yourself..

Dream on Boss, it is allowed.

I mean i could be dreaming, but then 2019 is just around the corner. We will see.