The candidate of the New Nigeria Folks’s Get together within the 2023 presidential election, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has an enormous political resolution to make about his doable participation within the 2027 presidential election.
Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State whose potential transfer to the ruling All Progressives Congress has additionally grow to be a topic of debate for Nigerians, has but to share his roadmap for the way he intends to occupy the presidential villa in Abuja in 2027, and all eyes are on him to see how he’ll navigate this course.
To douse some stress, the 69-year-old has instructed Nigerians that he’s dedicated to the NNPP above all else.
He stated this again in August in Abuja on the ninth Nationwide Govt Committee assembly of the NNPP the place he dismissed speculations about his doable defection to the APC.
“Many individuals thought at the moment we’ll announce whether or not I’ll keep in NNPP or go to a different celebration or be a part of some people. That was not the intention of the assembly. We’ve our celebration, and we’re snug and pleased,” he stated.
Whether or not or not Kwankwaso is actually “snug” and “pleased” within the NNPP has, both approach, additionally fueled dialogue and debate amongst Nigerians about his relationship with the president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu, who’s looking for re-election in 2027, just lately described Kwankwaso – on the event of his 69th birthday late final month – as a real pal and ally.
“Senator Kwankwaso stays a pal and ally with whom I served within the Nationwide Meeting in 1992 and later as governors in 1999. We additionally labored collectively in founding the All Progressives Congress. Though he later left the APC to determine the New Nigeria Peoples Get together, it’s noteworthy that he stays inside the progressive fold,” President Tinubu remarked.
Many analysts are of the view that Kwankwaso might have borrowed a web page from Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Get together, who disclosed that he would accept the most effective platform to contest below after having a sequence of consultations with stakeholders.
In accordance with these observers of political occasions, Kwankwaso will inform Nigerians, on the opportune time, which course the trajectory of his presidential ambition will take.
The influential politician is, nonetheless, nonetheless below strain to hitch Tinubu within the APC, however has to date refused to take the leap of religion regarding becoming a member of the celebration.
It’s even being speculated that he would possibly get the nod to be the ruling celebration’s vice-presidential candidate in 2027.
On high of that, it’s alleged, too, that one other former governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, was eased out as Nationwide Chairman of the APC to make approach for Kwankwaso.
Pundits have insisted that the transfer was a deliberate technique that provides credence to the celebration rolling out the pink carpet for Kwankwaso.
Following his sack, Ganduje stated that Kwankwaso lacks consistency to return to the APC after repeatedly ridiculing the ruling celebration and President Tinubu.
“We too have heard these rumours (of Kwankwaso defecting to the APC), however we don’t take them severely. In democracy, there’s little distinction between a faux cleric and a thief. Kwankwaso as soon as stated solely a madman would be a part of APC. He even mocked President Tinubu when he was contesting, claiming Tinubu solely developed Lagos. Now they need to return. If they arrive, we’ll welcome them as ‘madmen who swallowed their vomit,’” Ganduje stated.
Stakeholders and different Nigerians alike are involved that Kwankwaso’s indecision might depart him in political limbo.
The chief of the Kwankwasiyya motion has as a substitute been preaching endurance to his teeming followers, reminding them that there’s advantage in ready with conviction for the issues they want.
He has additionally instructed those that care to pay attention that he as soon as misplaced re-election in 2003, however needed to wait eight lengthy years earlier than he made the choice to take one other shot on the Kano State Authorities Home, and gained.
To keep up some form of political leverage, Kwankwaso insists that regardless that the celebration is just not in a rush, it stays versatile and open to dialogue about working with different events, particularly the APC.
And in doing so, Kwankwaso vowed to make sure that he makes the most effective offers for his celebration.
“If you’re asking us to hitch APC, it’s essential to inform us what NNPP will acquire. We’ve gubernatorial candidates in all of the states and full constructions nationwide. What’s going to you supply them if we be a part of?” he requested.
Kwankwaso additionally stated that previous alliances with the APC and PDP had resulted in frustration for the NNPP, however that now the NNPP is prepared to interact in recent negotiations.
Nonetheless, he warned that the NNPP, going ahead, would now not settle for for use and dumped.
“We’re prepared to hitch APC below robust situations and guarantees. We is not going to enable anybody to make use of us and later dump us,” he maintained.
A political analyst, Kizito Okpara, stated, “I’m involved that Kwankwaso continues to be with the NNPP. His celebration is massive however can’t assist him to meet his political future. And I’m much more involved that the APC has not carried out sufficient up until now to point out that they need this man of their celebration. In all of northern Nigeria, Kwankwaso is the person who can assure victory for the APC. Anyone who may give you almost 1,000,000 votes in a single state ought to be taken severely.”
On Kwankwaso being in political limbo, Okpara stated it was disappointing that the Kano political colossus couldn’t distinguish between political ally and foe.
“Any severe politician who needs to make an influence in 2027 should have sorted out his or her political bearing by now. You can not inform me that you’re a massive participant however nonetheless unsure about who your ally or foe is. It’s a disappointment. The most secure political sanctuary Kwankwaso may be in proper now could be the APC, and every passing day he stays silent or retains Nigerians guessing about his future, he loses prominence and, in the long term, won’t be able to actualize all his political ambitions,” he opined.
One other political commentator, Taiwo Eyemire, gave an evaluation of Kwankwaso’s probabilities in 2027.
Eyemire additionally stated that Kwankwaso wants Tinubu and the APC greater than they want him.
“If Kwankwaso contests below the NNPP, he’ll come fourth once more like in 2023. There can be no magic anybody might conjure to avoid wasting him. So, as a possible NNPP candidate in 2027, he would nonetheless lose the presidential election. If he determined to go to the PDP and have become their candidate, he would nonetheless lose in that celebration. Though he can not contest as a presidential candidate now if he joins the APC, he can to a big extent, assure his political future.
“If he turns into Tinubu’s operating mate in 2027, I imagine that he’ll now not be in limbo and may be the most effective man for president in 2031 when Tinubu’s tenure involves an finish. Don’t overlook that energy will rotate to the North in 2031. And if that ought to be the case, the area can have a worthy son who will take over from Tinubu. That is the explanation Kwankwaso wants Tinubu and the APC greater than they want him.”
Requested whether or not the latest accusation by a US lawmaker, Riley Moore – who stated that Kwankwaso allegedly aided the killing of Christians in Nigeria – would jeopardize the previous Kano governor’s political ascension, Eyemire stated he doubted it will be so.
“No, it wouldn’t. They (Individuals) play their politics over there and we play ours right here. Kwankwaso is proudly from northern Nigeria. He isn’t from North America. The individuals of Nigeria are those who will determine his destiny,” Eyemire retorted.