Danzago: A Tribute to a Fighter and Peacemaker

Alhaji Ahmadu Haruna Zago, fondly remembered as Danzago, was a man of contrasts—a fierce fighter in the political arena and a gentle peacemaker outside of it. His life was a testament to the duality of strength and diplomacy, earning him respect and admiration across various spheres.

A shrewd politician, a skilled arbitrator, and a successful businessman, Danzago wore many hats. He was a prominent Bureau de Change (BDC) operator, a niche travel agent, and a passive real estate developer. Though he never mastered Mandarin, he served as a crucial intermediary between the Kano State government and the Chinese community under the leadership of Lee. Similarly, despite not being fluent in Arabic, he was the bridge between the state government and the Saudi consulate for many years.

Danzago’s mediation skills were unparalleled. He was entrusted with the delicate task of serving as a secret mediator during the early stages of the Kwankwaso-Ganduje feud. His deep understanding of the root causes of the crisis and the grievances of the parties involved made him an invaluable figure in resolving conflicts.

In politics, Danzago was a relentless fighter, particularly in intra-party battles. He had a unique love for opposition politics. He would fight tooth and nail to defeat a ruling party, only to later lead an internal rebellion that would contribute to the same party’s downfall. His political journey was marked by a series of strategic alliances and rivalries:

- Second Republic: He was in the opposition, supporting NPN’s Aminu Wali against PRP’s Sabo Bakin Zuwo.

- Botched Third Republic: He backed NRC’s Kabiru Gaya to defeat SDP’s Magaji Abdullahi.

- Fourth Republic: Initially an ally of Kwankwaso in DPN, he later switched allegiance to support Magaji Abdullahi as the APP governorship candidate when new parties emerged in 1998.

- 2003: He supported ANPP’s Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau to defeat Kwankwaso. Though he aspired to become the substantive party chairman after serving as caretaker chairman during the campaign, Shekarau opposed the idea. Danzago eventually resigned as Shekarau’s political adviser to vie for the chairmanship, but the governor favored late Sani Hashim Hotoro instead.

- 2011: He led another political battle in the opposition CPC. When ACN, NNPP, CPC, and “new PDP” merged to form APC, Danzago joined Kwankwaso’s government as an adviser. However, he fell out with Ganduje in 2023, leading an APC faction that caused legal chaos and diverted Ganduje’s attention from grassroots campaigns to courtrooms, ultimately contributing to the party’s failure.

After the fall of APC, Danzago shifted his focus to public service, showing keen interest in addressing the waste management crisis that plagued Kano at the beginning of Governor Abba Yusuf’s administration. His dedication to clearing the city’s heaps of rubbish earned him the position of Managing Director of the State Refuse Management Agency.

Having won and lost many political battles, Danzago ultimately succumbed to a protracted illness at the age of 74. His passing marked the end of an era for a man who dedicated his life to both conflict and reconciliation.

May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannatul Firdaus.

By Jaafar Jaafar

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