Former Kano State Governor Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has clarified his decision to accept the vice-presidential slot alongside Peter Obi, stating that he will serve as a active governing partner rather than a ceremonial “spare tyre.”
Speaking during a interview in Abuja, Kwankwaso addressed his role in the national ticket while delivering a sharp political assessment of Kano State, declaring former governors Ibrahim Shekarau and Abdullahi Ganduje, as well as incumbent Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, politically finished.
A Partnership Built on Governance
Kwankwaso emphasized that his extensive public service career—including roles as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Defense Minister, Senator, and two-term Governor—has prepared him to contribute meaningfully to national administration.
He argued that effective leaders strengthen their government by delegating responsibilities and giving their deputies room to perform.
“Accepting to serve as running mate is not a political demotion; it represents progress and an opportunity to serve,” Kwankwaso stated. “When a president empowers his deputy, the success ultimately reflects on the entire administration.”
He explained that the pairing was shaped by national interest, regional balance, and the need for democratic reform. Under the current arrangement, Obi would serve a single four-year term, after which power would rotate back to the North in 2031 to maintain political stability.
“Ganduje and Abba Yusuf Made Impatient Miscalculations”
Turning to regional politics in Kano, Kwankwaso launched a scathing critique against former political allies who turned against the Kwankwasiyya political structure.
He singled out his former deputy and successor, Abdullahi Ganduje, asserting that Ganduje’s political influence declined after he broke away from the structure that built his career.
“Politics built on betrayal cannot endure,” Kwankwaso remarked. “Those who abandoned the platform that brought them to power have consistently slipped into political irrelevance.”
He similarly criticized incumbent Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, accusing him of attempting to displace the movement that worked tirelessly to secure his electoral victories. Kwankwaso described Governor Yusuf’s political maneuvering as an impatient miscalculation that leaves him politically isolated in Kano.
Focusing on National Challenges
Kwankwaso maintained that the joint ticket offers a credible alternative for Nigerians seeking solutions to persistent national challenges, including rising insecurity, economic strain, and infrastructure deficits.
He expressed confidence that the coalition between the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya movements provides the necessary capacity and empathy to address the country’s immediate priorities.
