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Tag: Rabiu Kwankwaso

  • Kwankwaso Cannot Be Peter Obi’s Running Mate – Jibrin

    Kwankwaso Cannot Be Peter Obi’s Running Mate – Jibrin

    A former member of the House of Representatives Abdulmumin Jibrin has ruled out speculations that Rabiu Kwankwaso will be a running mate to Peter Obi.

    He said this during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics amid reports that the New Nigeria’s Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate is in talks with Obi over a planned merger.

    “Very clearly, Kwankwaso will not be the running mate to Peter Obi. By every standard, Kwankwaso should be the presidential candidate,” the NNPP chieftain said during the show.

    “Kwankwaso has more political exposure and experience. He has a bigger profile when it comes to that (political exposure). He has more experience politically on how to win the election.

    “At the end of the day, when you look at the equity contribution in terms of votes, it will be a ratio of about 70 to 30 percent. We are looking at bringing 70 percent of the contributions. Even if it is business – Peter Obi is experienced in business – he knows that whoever is bringing the larger percentage of the equity is expected to stay on board.”

    He claimed that Kwankwaso is the only politician in the northern part of Nigeria that commands huge followership like President Muhammadu Buhari, stressing that aside from Obi, the NNPP is also looking at other options.

    “We are working on getting a presidential running mate,” he said, calling on the southeast region to back the NNPP.

    Jubrin believes the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have betrayed the region. For this, he argues that the southeast should drum support for the NNPP.

    “The southeast has been seriously backstabbed by the APC and they have been ‘front stabbed’ by the PDP. They have worked so much for the PDP. The PDP and APC have thrown away the southeast, they have said to them, ‘we don’t need you people,’” he said.

    “The last time the southeast has been on the table to discuss the presidency of this country was Alex Ekwueme (Nigeria’s first elected Vice President who served from 1979 to 1983). The first opportunity they have now is with Kwankwaso. They have to think very clearly not to waste their votes. They should come and take up the running mate. This is the best opportunity for them.”

    “The southeast should think clearly and rally around Kwankwaso,” Jubrin added.

  • Kwankwaso Meets Wike In Port Harcourt

    Kwankwaso Meets Wike In Port Harcourt

    Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso on Friday paid a visit to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt.

    While the meeting’s purpose is yet unclear, it may not be unconnected to the 2023 general elections.

    Also present at the meeting was former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose.

    Other political players such as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, have visited Mr Wike in the past few days.

    Mr Wike on Thursday received Senate Minority Leader, Philip Aduda and other PDP politicians, also in Port Harcourt.

    Others who have visited Mr Wike recently include Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, and former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoki.

  • 2023: We Are In Talks With Peter Obi For Possible Merger – Kwankwaso

    2023: We Are In Talks With Peter Obi For Possible Merger – Kwankwaso

    Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party ( NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said he is in talks with the Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2023 Presidential election.

    Recently, there have been speculations about the possibility of a merger between the NNPP and the LP.

    However, in an interview with the BBC, Kwankwaso confirmed the plans to merger with the labor party.

    He said, “ Honestly I am In talks with Peter Obi and my committee members are also working tirelessly to do the needful regarding our merger with the labor party.

    “We are looking into the matter to see how we can cooperate with him and also now that family and friends have also been talking to us about that possibility,” he said.

    Kwankwaso, a former Governor of Kano State, also said merging with the Labour Party is very significant at this critical moment especially looking at the fact that both PDP and APC Presidential candidates did not pick their running mates from the South- East.

  • Peter Obi Could Have Been My Vice President In NNPP – Kwankwaso

    Peter Obi Could Have Been My Vice President In NNPP – Kwankwaso

    The presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, could have been his running.

    Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, spoke on Monday following speculations that the-now presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) was set to become his running mate.

    “Many people suggested that (for Obi to be his running mate). I believe it could have been possible if not because he joined another party and now he is already a candidate as we have seen from the news just now,” he said during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. “We look forward to seeing what happens in the next few days or weeks.”

    While wishing Obi well, Senator Kwankwaso said the duo had an opportunity to talk about several national issues.

    “Actually, we had the opportunity to talk to ourselves on many national issues until a few days to the time when he declared for the Labour Party of which now he is the presidential candidate,” he said.

    When asked if the party would consider picking his running mate from the South East, he said the NNPP is not yet settled on that. As far as the former APC chieftain is concerned, the NNPP needs an influential personality as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.

    “We are not there yet. After the convention, the party will sit down and look around and see if we can have a very good, credible person with capacity; somebody who is acceptable; somebody who can bring as many people as possible to vote for our party as a vice president of the NNPP from the southern part of the country,” Kwankwaso explained.

    The 65-year-old’s comment is his first remark about Obi after speculations intensified that the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vice presidential candidate was going to be Kwankwaso’s running mate.

    Earlier on Monday, Obi had emerged as the flagbearer of the Labour Party after some of the contenders back out of the race.

  • Terrorism: Obasanjo left behind capable, disciplined military, we are shocked – Kwankwaso

    Terrorism: Obasanjo left behind capable, disciplined military, we are shocked – Kwankwaso

    Former minister of defence, Rabiu Kwankwaso has said that the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, of which he was a part of, left behind a military that was capable, disciplined and ever ready to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

    Kwankwaso said he is very much shocked and surprised over what is happening in the country and for the fact that it is happening not too far away from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    Kwankwaso, who spoke in an interview with Channels Television, believes the military’s incapability is a reflection of leadership failure on the part of the current administration.

    “It is very unfortunate that all of us in this country have to find ourselves in this problem. The issue of security, not only in Nigeria but all over the world is key,” the former Governor of Kano State said.

    “And that is why our constitution and every other constitutions that I know put a lot of emphasis on the issue of security of lives and property.

    “I’m so happy that I have the opportunity to become the minister of defence during the second tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and in that office I had the opportunity to work together with the military. I believe that we left a military that was capable and disciplined and ever ready to defend the territorial integrity of this country.

    “I had the opportunity to visit them all over the world, especially here in Africa …and other parts of the world where they have reasons to be there for operations and they did it successfully and they all returned back. Now what we are seeing today, in my opinion, is a reflection of leadership. They [the military] are trying their best…

    “So, put all this together, what we are seeing today, my humble self and many other people who are associated with the military and other security agencies, are very much shocked and surprised that some of these things are happening, happening not too far away from here in Abuja.

    “Happening between here and Kaduna and many other parts of this country. I believe this is the time to advise the government to do whatever they can to get better improvements so that people can have confidence in this country.”

    Gunmen suspected to be terrorists had recently bombed the Abuja-Kaduna train between Katari and Rigina axis on Monday night.

    Many passengers were said to have been initially kidnapped, including Zamfara State former deputy Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Wakkala Liman, during the deadly attack.

    Others were shot dead and an unascertained number of the passengers also sustained various degrees of injuries as a result of gunshots.

    Since then, several other attacks have been successfully conducted by the daredevil terrorists in Zaria, Abuja-Kaduna highway and many other places where several Nigerians have either been kidnapped or killed.

    There were also reports of terrorists’ attack in the Kubwa axis of Abuja on Wednesday.

  • Kwankwaso Finally Withdraws Membership from PDP

    Kwankwaso Finally Withdraws Membership from PDP

    Former Kano state governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has finally dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    In a letter addressed to his ward chairman, Kwankwaso said, “May I begin by thanking my Ward Chairman and all friends and well wishers in my ward, and indeed from across the country and beyond for the very respectful relationship we have had and the tremendous support I have enjoyed during my stay in the PDP.

    “It is with deep sense of responsibility that I write to notify you that as a result of some serious and irreconcilable differences I have reached the conclusion that my continued stay in the PDP is untenable and therefore, effective from Tuesday the 29 day of March, 2022, I have withdrawn my membership from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.”

    Kwankwaso had announced his plan to exit the party before the end of March.

    Details later…

  • PDP Will Crumble If I Leave – Kwankwaso

    PDP Will Crumble If I Leave – Kwankwaso

    Former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, is confident that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will crumble if he leaves the party.

    Although Kwankwaso says he is not happy with the main opposition party at the present, he affirmed that he has yet to defect from the party.

    He made the remarks during an interview on a Channels Television programme, Political Paradigm where he spoke about his political ambitions.

    “There is no question about it,” said the former governor in response to what the PDP’s fate would be if he leaves. “Where are the leaders? Who are the leaders? They will crumble.”

    Amid rumours and speculations that he has left for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), he insisted that he remained in the PDP, but his new political movement, the National Movement has joined the NNPP.

    According to him, the NNPP which is seen as the third force will get stronger than the PDP and become the second force if he joins the party.

    Kwankwaso later went on to speak about some of the reasons for his unhappiness in the PDP, citing the recent zonal congress in the North West.

    “Ideally, I should be one of the most important individuals in a party like PDP,” he said. “For many obvious reasons and from what we see, it’s like many people are turning my strength into weakness and that cannot be acceptable.

    “Look at the scenario in the North West during the congress, from the things that were taken to Kano, the vice-chairman of the zone was supposed to be given to me to nominate somebody. Just like it was done in Katsina, (Former Governor Ibrahim) Shema nominated what was allocated to him, in Kaduna (Former Governor Ahmed) Makarfi did that, in Jigawa (Former Governor) Sule Lamido did that, in Kebbi Kabiru Turaki did that, in Sokoto (Governor Aminu) Tambuwal did that.

    “It is only in Kano that they thought I was too small to be given that position and that’s what triggered the whole thing, and everybody kept quiet and were so happy that maybe Kwankwaso is not needed in the party.”

  • I Have No Regret Supporting Ganduje To Be Governor – Kwankwaso

    I Have No Regret Supporting Ganduje To Be Governor – Kwankwaso

    Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, says he has no regret supporting Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to succeed him as the Chief Executive of the state.

    During his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Senator Kwankwaso spoke about his relationship with Governor Ganduje in the past, as well as how they both worked together until 2015.

    “I have no regret whatsoever because we are still strong, much stronger than 2015. Not only in Kano but across the country and beyond,” he said.

    READ ALSO: EFCC Grills Rabiu Kwankwaso

    Kwankwaso was first elected governor of the north-western state in 1999 and was re-elected in 2011, completing his eight years allowed by the Constitution.

    When Ganduje became governor, Kwankwaso was a Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District in 2015.

    Though elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), his then deputy, Abdullahi Ganduje, succeeded him in 2015 as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “He (Ganduje) was my deputy from 1999 to 2003 and, of course, my SA when I was the Minister of Defence and thereafter in 2007, I lobbied the then President Yar’Adua and, of course, he got a job in the Chad Republic to be the Executive Secretary of Chad Basin,” the governor said.

    “He was there when I got a ticket in 2010. I asked him to resign and come back to Nigeria to be my deputy. When I was going, I thought we should have an inclusive government by supporting him to become governor.”

    Kwankwaso admitted that the first three years of exiting the Government House were tough because of the actions of his successor, a situation that forced him out of Kano despite being a member of the 9th Senate.

    Asked if he plans to dump the PDP, the former governor said he has not discussed the possibility of joining the ruling party as his focus was to work with the PDP to win the 2023 general elections.

    “I have never told anybody that I have decided to go to the APC or any other party for that matter,” he said. “I am in PDP and I have seen so many speculations over a long period, especially from my brothers and sisters in the APC that I am planning to move from the PDP to the APC.

    “I think it is just fake news, even though it makes me feel very happy. Many people in the APC, those who have worked together with me in that party are sending all these sorts of messages around.

    “But I am happy to say that we are working very hard to ensure that we have success in the forthcoming elections.”

  • 2023 Presidency: I’m Yet To Make Decision To Contest – Kwankwaso

    A former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, says he is yet to make a decision to contest the presidential election in 2023.

    Kwankwaso, in an interview with DW Hausa on Wednesday, said consultations were in progress with appropriate people.

    He said: “In this kind of situation we are not rushing to make decisions.

    “So, we are critically watching and consulting the right people to advise us and whatever I decide will be communicated to our people.

    “We have huge support that is enough to contest for anything.

    “We have people everywhere not only in Nigeria. Some people think that we only have people in Kano or in the north, but the truth is we have people in Asia, America and Europe,” Kwankwaso said.

    On the rumours circulating that he would dump his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Kwankwaso said there was nothing like that.

    “The issue of my decamping to APC has been raised severally at different times.”

    “This is not the first time. Many people are saying it and this is worth celebrating in politics that you become the talk of the news all the time.

    “It is a symbol of integrity and that people are always with us.

    “For now, I’m not aware of this and I’m not in any discussion with anybody about decamping to APC. So, that is it for now.”

    He said politics is all about patience and hard work, and that it was normal with the system to experience good and bad situations.

  • Ganduje won election not imposed, KNSG dares Kwankwaso

    Ganduje won election not imposed, KNSG dares Kwankwaso

    By JABIRU Hassan, Kano.

    Kano state government has dismissed as untrue claim by the former governor of Kano state, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso that Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje did not win the 2019 gubernatorial election but imposed on the people by powerful forces.

    A statement by the commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba indicated that contrary to the assertion made in an interview with a national daily, Kwankwaso managed a well-organized election rigging network, particularly in the metropolitan local governments, where youth, mostly without even voters’ card were engaged to perpetrate the act.

    He said it was vividly clear that barely hours into the voting, most of the ballot boxes were said have been stuffed, only for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discover that either card readers were not used or the voters are not captured in its data and therefore had to cancel the results from many centres and declared the election inconclusive.

    Malam Garba pointed out that it was unfortunate that as a leader who was severally involved in the election process, Kwankwaso is still contesting the result of an election conducted by statutory body and upheld by courts of law.

    The commissioner said just some few days ago, Kwankwaso was all over the media cautioning his followers against unguarded utterances but ended up making incendiary rhetoric unbecoming a person of his caliber.

    He said apparently, the interview Kwankwaso granted the national daily in which he attempted to rubbish the Ganduje administration has done him more harm than good which completely negates the spirit of a genuine peace and reconciliation he preached to his followers in the last few days to avoid derailing.

    Malam Garba stated that Kwankwaso should have thank Ganduje for completing many of the projects he abandoned, saying that the people of Kano are paying the price for the unparallel policy of continuity that saw the completion of many projects in the last six years in the state.

    These projects include Aminu Dantata Flyover, Yahaya Gusau Road and Prince Audu Underpass, Five kilometre roads in Dawakin Tofa, Ungogo, Warawa, Rano and Tofa local governments; Mahmoud Salga Road, Jaba-Rimin Kebe Road, Independent Power Project at Tiga and Challawa Dams, among many others.

    On the issue of education, which Kwankwaso talk big, the commissioner further noted that as far as education is concern, the Ganduje administration has done a lot including payment of burden of over 15 billion backlog of scholarships to indigent students overseas left by the Kwankwaso administration.

    He said so far, the sum of N3.5 billion has been paid for students in Sudan; N4.5 billion for Cyprus; N384 million for those in France, while it is in the process of paying students in Egypt and India. Malam Garba said in addition to the implementation of the Free and Compulsory Basic and Secondary Education, the administration has been able to carry out massive infrastructure development in all its tertiary institutions and accreditation of many courses they offer.

    The statement assured that despite the agitation for reconciliation that is ongoing among party leaders, the Ganduje administration would accordingly react to any attempt to rubbush the laudable achievements it has recorded and will not be distracted from carrying on with the responsibility for which it was elected into office.