January 18, (THEWILL) – Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has foreclosed any likely alliance with the Labour Party ahead of the February 25 presidential election.
Speaking on Wednesday, at the Chatham House, an independent research policy institute in the UK, Kwankwaso described the seeming mass support for the Labour Party as media hype.
Fumed at the question asked by a Nigerian member of the Chatham House, Kwankwaso described the questionnaire as an ethnic bigot, who is far from reality.
He had been asked that since his policies and those of Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of LP, is similar if he would step down for Obi in the February 25 elections.
“Your question is based on ethnicity and religion, we can’t work together.
“On Labour Party, I was initially interested in working with them, but at that time, they were at the peak of the media hype and we couldn’t reach a compromise.
“NNPP is the fastest growing party in Nigeria today, Labour Party’s hype is gradually coming down like Andrews Liver Salts.
“Our party (NNPP) is a National Party, and we’re commanding the support of the masses.
“If you have a party, which is based on ethnicity and religion, that is the difference between the Labour party and our party, which is a national party, New Nigeria Peoples Party,” he said, adding that he is ready to step down his 2023 presidential ambition if he sees a better candidate contesting the 2023 presidential election.
Kwankwaso promised to revamp the economy and create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive and attract more foreign investment if elected.
He also vowed to deal with poverty and poor education in the north if elected.
He said, “I built over 500 classrooms while I was Governor of Kano State, and when elected, I will bring more people on board to tackle education needs in Nigeria.”
On insecurity, Kwankwaso recalled his time as Defense Minister and Special Adviser to the President of Somalia, and promised to recruit more into the Nigeria armed forces.
Kwankwaso said he is aspiring to become the next president of Nigeria because “I understand the issues involved, the mistakes that were made, the wrong priorities that were set, and together with our team, we are better connected with the hopes and aspirations of the Nigerian citizens.
“We understand, agree with, and share grievances. And we have a practical plan to address each and every challenge bedevilling our country.”
The former Kano Governor noted that the problem of Nigeria is not the big people, but that the country is its own problem.
He said, “Forget about the big people, who are actually the problem of our country…
“With supporters at the grassroots level, we are the only party today and we’ve succeeded in Northern Nigeria today in terms of votes and support. Now we are working in the Southern part of the country.”
Kwankwaso also refutes the possibility of any likely runoff in the forthcoming presidential poll, insisting that the NNPP has what it takes to emerge winner in the first ballot.
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