Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said he and his supporters gained nothing after contributing massively to the victory of former President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential election.
Kwankwaso disclosed this during an interview on ARISE TV on Monday, saying the experience influenced his decision to pursue a new political direction.
According to him, he played a major role in mobilising support that helped the All Progressives Congress defeat the Peoples Democratic Party after 16 years in power at the federal level.
“I worked so hard. We brought about 1.9, almost two million votes. But as politicians, we were not recognised. We even put our lives on the line at that time,” he said.
“But unfortunately, we could not see any benefit either as individuals or the constituencies that we represented.”
The former governor, however, did not specify the expected benefits or the exact areas where the Buhari administration allegedly failed him and his political allies.
Kwankwaso also reviewed Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999, assessing successive administrations and the challenges they faced.
He commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for what he described as his efforts while in office, noting that the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua battled health challenges during his tenure.
He further said the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan was affected by controversies surrounding an alleged agreement for him to serve only one term.
Speaking on the current administration, Kwankwaso said many Nigerians were dissatisfied with the state of the nation under President Bola Tinubu.
“Everybody knows there are issues with this administration again,” he stated.
“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 spoke on the growing support for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, following his reported alliance with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
“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.
On zoning and leadership, the former governor argued that competence and commitment mattered more than regional considerations.
“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,” he said.
“What is key is to have quality leadership, people who are enthusiastic, determined and committed to give the country the leadership it deserves.”
