Ochereome Nnanna
Curious Nigerians anticipated Rabiu Kwankwaso to "reveal himself" when he appeared on Channels TV last Sunday. Oh, what he did! What else did he have to contribute besides sharing red and white caps, acting like an overdressed cockatoo while bellhops scrape and bow to him before he boards a car, and promoting Arewa irredentism?
Kwankwaso has an impressive resume that qualifies him to run for president in terms of education and work experience, including his status as an engineer, PhD holder, Minister, Governor, and Senator. But to be a good president, you need more than just formal credentials and life experience. One could also arrive with the incorrect kind of expertise.
No one can fit the mold of the leader we need in Aso Villa in 2023 if they have been in political office constantly since 1999, are getting richer every day, and have no history of working in the private sector. These people are treasury thieves. At this time, Nigeria does not require that kind of "experience."
We anticipated Kwankwaso to take advantage of this excellent chance to share with Nigerians the remedies he had to the failing state of Nigeria. I anticipated substance, profound thoughts, direction, vision, knowledge, and a hint of patriotism. I anticipated him to outperform President Muhammadu Buhari in his capacity to bring the nation together, revive the economy, reconstruct our educational system, put an end to insecurity and terrorism, and instill a feeling of belonging throughout the nation.
I must admit that I was astonished to discover how empty and bloated Kwankwaso is! He was unable to elevate the story above that of a cart pusher in Kano's Kofar Wabe Market. He was a disgrace to his PhD degree. He merely demonstrated that he is seeking the presidency with the incorrect "experience." As president, such a person should never be found close to Aso Villa.
Let's examine the content of Kwankwaso's 30-minute "famous" segment from last Sunday's Channels Television. He claimed that "people" would not vote for someone from the South-East because they are uncomfortable with "what is occurring" there. Who are these "people"? Why didn't Kwankwaso use the word "Northerners"? Since 1999, the South-East has chosen Kwankwaso's North-West and South-South as its president.
What excuse would the "people," as promoted by Kwankwaso, have for refusing to return the South-East's patriotic gestures now that it is their turn? Amen, sir! When the rotation machine reaches the South-East's doorstep, it abruptly comes to a stop. And Kwankwaso, the aspiring "president," is happy about it!
Second issue. In what ways is the South-East "happening"? Insecurity? Where did Kwankwaso get the nerve to discuss security issues in the South-East while terrorist groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandits, and Fulani herders are roiling the entire nation, particularly the North? Guess what, all of the terrorists are young people from the North who are fighting against a repressive, ineffective, and corrupt system where powerful people like Kwankwaso use religion and ethnicity to maintain their positions of authority.
Since the emergence of Boko Haram jihadism in 2009, the Army, Police, and other entities in charge of security, despite the loss of thousands of lives and trillions of naira, Northern politicians are unable to even defend their own citizens. Where is the justification for a second Northerner to lead the region after Buhari in 2023?
What exactly is "happening" in the Southeast? Yes, the Biafra agitation. Who triggered the events that resulted in Biafra I and II? The North, was it not? Before Muhammadu Buhari became president in 2015, where was Biafra II? Was not the South-East the most tranquil region in the nation? The influx of armed militants from the Sahel (Northern Nigeria and beyond), who are occupying forests in the South and Middle Belt, killing people, destroying farms, kidnapping for ransom, and now reportedly poised for a "war of conquest" of indigenous people, is it not being driven by Northern leaders like Kwankwaso?
Then why is it "wrong" for certain young people in the South-East to protect themselves and their territory against Northern invaders, according to Kwankwaso and his allies? Is it acceptable for Fulani militants to invade and seize the territories of indigenous people? Just hear a future "president" and a previous minister of defense converse!
Kwankwaso did not advertise himself on Channels Television. Nothing is available for sale. We are already familiar with him. He only shows signs of pussyfooting during ethnic disputes, notably in the South, between Northerners and others. He doesn't go there to restore harmony. To "protect the North," he travels. This Kwankwaso ought to be a candidate for North American presidency. He lacks a history of being a national leader.
Kwankwaso is blindsided by what he perceives as Kano's overwhelming support. But we haven't yet seen any proof that the crowds support him. Despite the massive turnout in Kano in 2019, Buhari and Governor Umar Ganduje received 1,464,768 votes (78.9% of the vote), whereas Atiku Abubakar and Kwankwaso only received 391,593 votes (21.1 percent ). Abba Kabir Yusuf, Kwankwaso's candidate for governor, was soundly defeated by Ganduje. Kwankwaso is only popular among "audio" listeners. Where else have his Kwankwasiyya supporters achieved anything in the North?
After their merger talks fell through due to Kwankwaso's inflated ego, he only arrived at Channels Television in a hurry and failed in his attempt to de-market Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate. Every candidate or party is attempting to downplay Obi's profile as it rises like wildfire. All of them are hunting for dirt to throw, but Obi continues to act morally upright and above all.
Obi was quite fortunate that the LP/NNPP talks failed. Kwankwaso would have abruptly vanished on him to seek out brighter pastures, similar to how he vanished on Atiku in 2019.
Source: Vanguard News
