Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has refuted claims of a rotational presidency agreement involving himself, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party’s Peter Obi.
He dismisses this in a recent interview with the BBC Hausa Service monitored in Abuja on Monday, December 30, while addressing widespread speculation about a purported consensus among the trio.
Kwankwaso categorically denied any recent discussions or negotiations with Atiku or Obi. He emphasized his commitment to political neutrality until the end of the year, stating that his stance was intended to allow governments at various levels to focus on governance without distractions.
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“I have not engaged in any talks with Atiku or Obi regarding a rotational presidency. Such claims are baseless,” Kwankwaso said.
Criticizing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kwankwaso accused the main opposition party of employing manipulative strategies to secure votes in the North.
“For me to accept any arrangement, we have to go back to history. I understand the PDP in totality,” he remarked.
“I know their tactics of attempting to procure parties or create confusion to compel northerners to vote for them. But the question remains: what have they done for the North?”
Reflecting on his experiences with the PDP, Kwankwaso expressed disappointment over what he described as a pattern of alienation and humiliation.
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He cited the exodus of key figures, including himself, Peter Obi, and Nyesom Wike, from the party as evidence of its internal challenges.
“We loved this party and wanted to rebuild it for collective prosperity, but they forced us out. Yet, the same people are now expressing interest in leadership,” he said.
Kwankwaso dismissed the alleged arrangement as fabricated. “I heard from a source that the PDP brought in scholars—about 45 of them—and claimed there was a consensus that Atiku would rule for four years, I would rule for another four years, and Peter Obi would rule for eight years. This is a complete lie and has no basis in reality,” he stated.
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He expressed dismay over the role of elder statesmen in spreading such misinformation. “It is disappointing that individuals in their 70s and 80s would participate in propagating falsehoods. These actions have contributed to the destabilization of the PDP,” Kwankwaso noted.
Concluding his remarks, Kwankwaso reiterated his decision to remain neutral in the political landscape for the time being, urging stakeholders to prioritize governance and address the pressing needs of Nigerians.
“We need to focus on solving the country’s problems rather than engaging in baseless political schemes,” he said.