Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano state, says northern Muslim politicians cannot succeed without the support of Christians and other regions of the country, adding that he would support Peter Obi.
Speaking during an interview with Trust TV, Kwankwaso said Nigeria’s politics requires broad national alliances beyond religion and ethnicity.
“What we are saying now is that yes, we are northerners, we are Muslims and everybody knows that, but we can’t play politics without Christians. We can’t play politics without south-east or south-south or south-west,” he said.
The former presidential candidate said Obi remains a highly popular politician across southern Nigeria and parts of the north.
“Peter Obi is from the south-east and today he is a very popular human being and politician in the entire south and many parts of northern Nigeria,” he said.
“And you cannot take that away from him.”
Kwankwaso also described the Kwankwasiyya movement as a nationwide political force driven largely by young Nigerians seeking better leadership.
“Our supporters are mainly young men and women who are looking for a way out,” he said.
“They are not looking for their brothers or sisters or somebody close.”
The former Kano governor argued that competence and capacity should matter more than religion or ethnic identity in leadership selection.
“Look at people of capacity, people who can deliver,” he said.
Kwankwaso cited his political experience with former presidents to support his argument.
According to him, despite delivering millions of votes to Muhammadu Buhari, he struggled to gain access to the presidency during Buhari’s administration.
“We supported Buhari, bringing about two million votes for him,” he said.
“Until he left, I don’t think he wanted to hear us in the villa.”
He, however, praised Olusegun Obasanjo for entrusting him with key responsibilities despite coming from a different region.
“Obasanjo from the south-west made me minister of defence,” he said.
“He gave me all the trust he could.”
