The All Progressives Congress (APC) has indicated that relentless attacks on the legacy of the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, in Kano State could have influenced the absence of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, presidential candidate of the New Nigerian People’s Party, from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet list.
Before the unveiling of Tinubu’s ministerial nominees, speculation was rife that Kwankwaso might secure a position in Tinubu’s government due to their post-presidential election camaraderie. However, Kwankwaso was not included in Tinubu’s ministerial nominees, while Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, secured a slot.
The APC’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, conveyed that the ongoing attacks on Ganduje’s accomplishments in Kano State by Governor Abba Yusuf of the NNPP and Kwankwaso’s political associate could have played a role in Tinubu’s decision to exclude Kwankwaso.
Ibrahim stated, “Kwankwaso is a political force in Kano, but the conduct of his Kwankwasiyya movement has impacted his support. The movement’s disruptive tactics in Kano’s politics and beyond have contributed to this decline.”
He further explained that President Tinubu likely considered the public sentiment, Ganduje’s political influence, and his efforts to win Kano residents’ support. In comparing the political weight of Ganduje and Kwankwaso, the former appeared more influential, according to Ibrahim.
In response, the Kwankwaso camp criticized the APC for attempting to tarnish Kwankwaso’s reputation. Major Agbo, NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, stated that Kwankwaso had already addressed the issue and opted out of consideration. Agbo emphasized that Ganduje’s statements were his own concerns, not Kwankwaso’s.