Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former Kano State governor and a prominent figure in the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has explained why he is elated about the party’s choice to zone its presidential ticket to the southern region. He emphasized that this move was driven by considerations of fairness, equity, and the need for political stability in Nigeria.
During an interview on Monday with Arise Television’s Prime Time program, Kwankwaso shared his satisfaction with joining the NDC, describing its members as kindred spirits dedicated to solving the nation’s political problems. He noted that the party’s leadership, including former Bayelsa State governor Seriake Dickson and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, collectively resolved to keep the presidency in the South for the next four years before rotating it back to the North.
Kwankwaso stated that northern members who recently joined the party readily accepted this arrangement because it addresses the ongoing disputes over power rotation in the country. He further connected the current zoning debate to the confusion that arose after the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. According to him, while some Nigerians believe the presidency should go to the North, the NDC deemed it more suitable to support a southern candidate to ease political tensions and maintain equilibrium.
Expressing his happiness, Kwankwaso said, “Let me say that I’m so happy that I joined this party, the NDC. I believe so far, so good, we are doing well. I met people that I can call like minds, ranging from the leader of the party, Senator Dickson, former governor of Bayelsa State, and of course, Mr Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State, and many other leaders who are today in our party.”
He added that from the very beginning, they sat together, assessed the country’s situation, and made key decisions, including the zoning of the presidency to the South for four years. Kwankwaso stressed that they are loyal party members and recognized the party’s contemplation of this zoning even before they joined. He concluded by noting that the best way forward is to take the presidency to the South to eliminate the confusion introduced by Yar’Adua’s death, even though the South has historically spent more years in power since 1999.