KANO — Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has launched a scathing attack on the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the ruling party of treating Northern Nigerians “like chickens” through the selective distribution of food palliatives.
In a fiery address that has sent ripples through Nigeria’s political landscape, the former Kano State Governor warned that the era of securing Northern votes with “bags of rice” is over. Kwankwaso’s comments come amid rising tensions and economic hardship, signaling a potential seismic shift in regional loyalty ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Gross Insult to the North”
Kwankwaso’s outburst was triggered by the Federal Government’s recent distribution of palliatives in Kano State. He alleged that the APC-led government bypassed official state channels, instead handing over grain supplies to party stalwarts to be used as political leverage.
“To think that you can starve the people and then turn around to offer them a bowl of rice to buy their conscience is a gross insult,” Kwankwaso stated. “Northerners are not chickens that you throw grain to just to keep them in the coop. Our people have dignity, and they are now seeing through these desperate tactics.”
Rising Economic Discontent
The NNPP leader argued that the North has borne the brunt of the current administration’s economic policies, citing skyrocketing inflation and the collapse of local businesses. He accused the APC of weaponizing poverty—stripping citizens of their livelihoods only to appear as “saviours” during election cycles.
“The hunger in the land is not an accident; it is the result of poor governance,” Kwankwaso added. “You cannot replace security, quality education, and a working economy with a 10kg bag of rice and expect the people to remain silent.”
A Warning for 2027
Political analysts view Kwankwaso’s rhetoric as the opening salvo for the 2027 campaign season. By framing the APC’s actions as an affront to Northern dignity, he is positioning the NNPP as the primary alternative for a region that historically decides the outcome of Nigerian presidential elections.
While the APC has yet to issue a formal rebuttal to the “chicken” analogy, party insiders have dismissed the claims as “populist alarmism,” maintaining that the palliative scheme is a sincere effort to cushion the effects of necessary economic reforms.
As the political temperature rises, Kwankwaso’s “heavy shot” serves as a stark reminder that the North—once a stronghold for the APC—may no longer be a guaranteed bank of votes for the ruling party.
