Former Kano State governor and presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has stressed the need for broader political inclusion across Nigeria, insisting that no region or religious group can succeed alone in national politics.
Speaking on national cohesion and electoral strategy, Kwankwaso emphasised that political success in Nigeria depends on cooperation across all regions and faiths.
“What we are saying now is that we are Northerners and we are Muslims, but we cannot play politics without Christians.
”We cannot play politics without the southeast, south-south, or southwest.
”And if you look at it today, Mr. Peter Obi from the southeast is a very popular politician across the South and in many parts of Northern Nigeria, and nobody can take that away from him, ” he stated.
He added, ” the same applies to the Kwankwasiyya movement, we are everywhere.”
He noted that his political movement draws strength from widespread support, especially among young Nigerians who, according to him, are more concerned about competence than ethnicity, religion, or family ties.
“We are lucky that our supporters are mainly young men and women who are searching for a way out of bad leadership.
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”They are not looking for their brothers, sisters, or somebody close to them; they are looking for good leadership, ” he said.
Reflecting on past political experiences, Kwankwaso argued that loyalty alone, especially along ethnic or religious lines, does not guarantee effective governance.
“From our practical experience, we now know that you can support your brother to be there, like we did during the Buhari days.
”We supported him with over two million votes from Kano, yet until he left office, he didn’t even want to hear us in the Villa, ” he said.
He contrasted that with his experience under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, noting that competence and trust played a greater role in appointments than shared background.
According to him, but if you look back at the Obasanjo days, he was from the southwest, yet he made me Minister of Defence and gave me all the trust he could.
Kwankwaso concluded that leadership selection should be based on ability and performance rather than ethnicity, religion, or proximity.
“So it’s not because someone is your neighbour, your brother, or of your religion that they are automatically the best for you.
”No. Look for people with capacity, people who can deliver, ” he said.
