Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said he and his supporters received no political reward after helping former President Muhammadu Buhari win the 2015 presidential election.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Monday, Kwankwaso said he committed significant political resources and personal sacrifice to support Buhari’s victory, which ended the Peoples Democratic Party’s 16-year hold on power at the federal level.
According to him, his political camp delivered nearly two million votes during the election but gained nothing in return from the administration.
“I worked so hard. We brought about 1.9, almost 2 million votes. But as politicians, we are not recognised. We put our lives even on the line at that time. But unfortunately, we could not see any benefit either as individuals or the constituencies that we represented,” he said.
Kwankwaso, however, did not specify what benefits he expected from the Buhari-led government or the areas where he believed the administration failed his supporters.
The former governor also reviewed the performance of successive administrations since 1999, saying former President Olusegun Obasanjo tried his best, while the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua struggled with health challenges during his tenure. He added that the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan was affected by controversies surrounding an alleged one-term agreement.
Commenting on the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kwankwaso said Nigerians were increasingly demanding political change.
“Everybody knows there are issues with this administration again,” he said.
“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,” he added.
Kwankwaso said the growing dissatisfaction among Nigerians had contributed to the increasing support for the Nigeria Democratic Congress following his alliance with former Anambra State Governor, 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 stated.
He also defended the decision to zone the NDC’s 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria, stressing that competent leadership 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.
“What is key is to have quality leadership, people who are enthusiastic, determined and committed to give the country the leadership it deserves,” he said.
