Former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said neither he nor his supporters benefited politically after playing a major role in the election of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
Kwankwaso made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television on Monday while reflecting on the political sacrifices made during the coalition that ended the Peoples Democratic Party’s 16-year rule at the centre.
According to him, the effort and risks taken by his political camp during the 2015 election did not translate into recognition or meaningful gains for those who supported Buhari’s emergence.
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“I worked so hard. We brought about 1.9, almost 2 million votes. But as politicians, we are not recognised. We put our lives even on the line at that time. But unfortunately, we could not see any benefit either as individuals or the constituencies that we represented,” he said.
Kwankwaso, however, did not specify the exact expectations he had from the Buhari administration or the areas where he believed his political bloc was sidelined.
Reviewing Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999, the former governor assessed successive administrations and argued that the country now requires a fresh political direction.
He acknowledged the efforts of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, noted that the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s administration was constrained by health challenges, and said the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan was affected by controversies surrounding an alleged one-term understanding.
Speaking on the current administration, Kwankwaso said, “Everybody knows there are issues with this administration again.”
He added, “And therefore, people are determined at grassroots level, and even at the level we are operating now, that there should be some level of changes.”
Kwankwaso also linked the growing support for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, to widespread dissatisfaction with the country’s political leadership over the years.
He said the party had continued to attract supporters across different parts of the country since he and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi formally joined the platform earlier this month.
“Since we decided to join NDC, Nigerians have decided to come and join us. People are opening offices everywhere across the world. So we are happy about that,” he said.
The former governor further argued that competent leadership, rather than ethnic or regional considerations, should determine who leads the country.
Drawing from his political experience, Kwankwaso said having a president from one’s region does not automatically guarantee development or good governance.
“Those of us in the political trenches would tell you that it is not only the man from your end that would make the country move forward.
“What is key is to have quality leadership, people who are enthusiastic, determined and committed to give the country the leadership it deserves,” he stated.
