Amid the jostling for the presidential ticket of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Kwankwasiyya motion has pushed again in opposition to current remarks by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, suggesting a decline in Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s political dominance in Kano, insisting that solely Peter Obi and Kwankwaso get pleasure from “natural” nationwide followership.
Spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya motion, Hon. Habib Mailemo, who spoke on a tv programme, argued that the followership loved by Obi and Kwankwaso was rooted in private conviction moderately than political inducement or entrenched celebration constructions.
Mailemo insisted that the previous vp’s recognition got here largely from PDP governors and the celebration’s established constructions.
He stated, “It is just Peter Obi and my principal, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who’ve natural followers that aren’t induced by something. Their aspirations align with the assumption of their competence and confirmed observe data, and the lots establish with them.”
The spokesman of the group added that the present political discourse ought to focus much less on private supremacy and extra on the broader goal of nationwide restoration, noting {that a} single aim drove Kwankwaso’s involvement in coalition talks.
“My principal has made it very clear that we’re going into the coalition just because his sole intention is to contribute to rescuing Nigeria,” he stated.
Responding to a query on whether or not Kwankwaso enjoys larger recognition within the North than Atiku, as claimed by the previous vp, the aide acknowledged Atiku’s long-standing presence in Nigeria’s political panorama however argued that his electoral energy had typically been tied to celebration equipment moderately than particular person attraction.
“It’s true that Atiku has contested a number of occasions, notably beneath the PDP, the place he had the backing of governors and a robust construction. However he can not solely attribute the votes he garnered to non-public recognition, given the elite consensus and broad political assist inside that fold on the time”, he stated.
Drawing a distinction, he maintained that each Obi and Kwankwaso constructed momentum independently of dominant celebration frameworks.
“I’m supplying you with a unique state of affairs the place Peter Obi and Kwankwaso stood on their very own and have become synonymous with the events they joined, largely due to their private recognition.
“They made a big impression in elections the place they weren’t initially thought of sturdy contenders”, he famous.
He argued {that a} honest comparability with Atiku would require an analogous political take a look at.
“If he had contested beneath a platform with out a longtime construction and constructed it right into a formidable pressure as they did, then we may correctly assess the energy of his private attraction,” he added.
The aide additionally cited historic precedent to underscore the position of political constructions in electoral success, referencing the emergence of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
“Yar’Adua could not have been the preferred on the time, however with a robust celebration construction and broad-based assist, he emerged as president. Anybody with such backing is prone to safe substantial votes”, he acknowledged.
In response to considerations that such remarks may deepen divisions throughout the opposition, the Kwankwasiyya spokesperson stated coalition actors should interact in an trustworthy inner analysis moderately than suppress differing views.
“The expectation is that key figures throughout the coalition, together with Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso, ought to come collectively, perceive themselves, and conduct a correct evaluation of their strengths. That’s the solely method they’ll arrive at a reputable place to problem the ruling authorities and supply Nigerians a viable different.”
Chuks Okocha
Times Nigeria