4. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE, FNIQS (born 21 October 1956) is a Nigerian politician who was the Governor of Kano state from 1999 to 2003 and 2011 to 2015. Kwankwaso made his entry into politics on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP). He was a member of the People’s Front faction of the SDP led by General Shehu Yar’adua and other well-known politicians like Senator Magaji Abdullahi, Babagana Kingibe, Atiku Abubakar, Bola Tinubu, Tony Anenih, Chuba Okadigbo, Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila, Abubakar Koko and Lamidi Adedibu among others. At the same time, Kwankwaso was elected as a member of the House of Representatives addressing Madobi Federal Constituency. Kwankwaso joined PDP in 1998 under the umbrella of People’s Democratic Movement in Kano drove by Mallam Musa Gwadabe, Senator Hamisu Musa and Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila. In 1999, he contested the PDP primaries close by Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Mukthari Zimit, Alhaji Kabiru Rabiu. The Santsi/P.S.P. were behind the emergence of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje however they lost to Kwankwaso in the primaries. He is currently the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party and also vying for the office of the president. Kwankwaso enjoys widespread support in Kano and north-western Nigeria; he has been viewed as a charismatic populist.
Weaknesses
Party Structure: The New Nigerian Peoples Party is a new party without any strong ground in major parts of Nigeria especially in the south east accordingly for Kwankwaso to gather votes in the southeast will be a remarkable uphill undertaking particularly with PDP and APC in the game with currently settled party structure inside and around Nigeria.
Alleged as Corrupt: There has been various instances of Kwankwaso and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In one of such event, EFCC locked up one of Kwankwaso house in Kano. In another vein, one can’t fail to remember in a rush the eruption of the ex-Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan in an article on Vanguard who called Kwankwaso as a fraudster for stealing stipends implied for party delegates during the 2010 PDP Presidential primaries.
Also Read: An Analysis of the 2023 Candidates for the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
Strengths
Strategic Planner: Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have been hailed as a man who plans in a calculated way and unequivocally. This is apparent in his residency as Kano state government with the records revealing genuine insight into his accomplishments generally credited to his quiet essential nature of executing projects.
Extraordinary Northern Support: Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is a strongforce in the north. You can scarcely mention his name in any side of northern Nigeria who doesn’t know the name. He is held in high esteem in his state and environs.
Gallant: Kwankwaso is continuously able to face challenges in accomplishing his objectives regardless of affirmation of progress. The greater part of the activities attempted during his residency as Kano state lead representative involves hazard and he took the bull by the horn. As put by Victor Oluwadamilare in Nigerian Tribune Newspaper ”RMK is a detribalised Nigerian and a solidly established grassroots mobilizer, whose focal center was and is as yet individuals. Across his political direction, he showed a mindful heart loaded up with empathy and energy of administration contacting the existences of residents significantly”.
Old timer: Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have been in the game of politics for quite a while. He knows how the game is played from the grassroot to its highest echelon. This information will be crucial towards him accomplishing his goal for the office of the president.
Disclaimer: This article is owned by Friday Christian (Christheair), Blog Contributor- Funaiwhistle.com
