Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) is one of the top Nigerian presidential candidates and has constantly created waves in Nigerian politics. Since Kwankwaso is no stranger to the complicated Nigerian political scene, he has established strong footholds all throughout the country, strengthening his case for the top political position.
While several potential presidential candidates’ qualifications and competence have been called into question, it’s important to look into their personal histories and political careers. This article examines Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso critically in order to uncover his ambition to become President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Early life and Education
Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso was born on October 21, 1956, in Kano to a family of Sunni Fulani from the Genawa Fulani Clan. He attended Kwankwaso Primary School, Gwarzo Boarding Senior Primary School, and Wudil Craft School for his primary and senior schooling, respectively. Later, he was accepted to Kaduna Polytechnic, where he studied for his National and Higher National diplomas.
Kwankwaso was a well-respected student leader and the official spokesperson of the Kano State Students Association throughout his tenure in higher education. In the following years, he attended graduate school, first at Middlesex Polytechnic in the United Kingdom from 1982 to 1983 and then at the Loughborough University of Technology, where he earned a master’s degree in water engineering in 1985. He also received a doctorate in water engineering from India’s Sharda University.
When Kwankwaso first entered the workforce in 1975, it was at the Kano State Water Resources and Engineering Construction Agency, an agency under the state government’s jurisdiction. His seventeen years of service there saw him rise to the position of chief water engineer.
Joining Politics
Kwankwaso made his political debut in 1992, running on the ticket of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He was a member of the wing of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) known as the People’s Front, which General Shehu Yar’adua and other prominent figures headed.
In 1992, Kwankwaso won the election to become the representative of the Madobi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Following that, he was elected to the position of deputy speaker of the House, which catapulted him into the public eye of national politics.
In 1998, Kwankwaso joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), having done so on the platform of the People’s Democratic Movement in Kano, which was led at the time by Mallam Musa Gwadabe, Senator Hamisu Musa, and Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila. In addition, he competed in the 1999 primary elections for the PDP with Alhaji Kabiru Rabiu, Mukthari Zimit, and Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, an election from which he ultimately emerged victorious.
Gubernatorial Journey
Kwankwaso served as the Governor of Kano State beginning on May 29, 1999, and ending on May 29, 2003. His first stint as governor of Kano State was particularly eventful as a result of the resistance he encountered from some political parties. These groups disapproved of his tough leadership and his endeavor to promote the agenda of Olusegun Obasanjo, who was serving as president at the time. Malam Ibrahim Shekarau defeated him in his campaign for reelection in 2003, which was the culmination of all of these events.
On May 29, 2011, following his reelection as governor of Kano State, Kwankwaso continued to serve in that capacity till May 29, 2015. At this time, he initiated the process of reconstructing Kwankwassiya’s political system, which he referred to as his political structure, by constructing roads, hospitals, and schools and sponsoring the foreign education of the residents.
In August 2013, Kwankwaso was one of seven active governors that established the G-7 branch of the People’s Democratic Party. In November 2013, Kwankwaso became a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a newly formed opposition party, along with five other members of the G-7.
Race for the Presidency
Kwankwaso used his huge political following in Kano to contest the APC presidential primaries in October 2014. However, he came in fifth place in the Lagos presidential primary, with 974 votes, behind Muhammadu Buhari (3,430), Kwankwaso (974), Atiku Abubakar (954), Rochas Okorocha (400), and Sam Nda-Isiah (10). As the days went on, Kwankwaso, who came in second, publicly endorsed Buhari.
Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso, along with fourteen other serving APC senators, abandoned the party in favor of the opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in July 2018. (PDP). In October 2018, he contested the primary for the PDP presidential nomination.
With 158 votes, Kwankwaso finished behind Atiku Abubakar (1,532), Aminu Tambuwal (693), and Bukola Saraki (317). Kwankwaso later opted not to seek re-election to the Senate and backed the eventual victor, Atiku Abubakar.
On February 22, 2022, Kwankwaso launched a political movement called the National Movement in response to what he believed to be the unsustainable dominance of the All Progressives Congress and the People’s Democratic Party.
After establishing the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as the official political arm of the revolution, he took over as its national leader on March 30, 2022.
Later on April 19, 2022, Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso announced that he would be running for president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the NNPP ticket.
What Does the Future Hold?
A look at Kwankwaso’s resume and political standing reveals his capabilities. With his extensive political experience, he remains a formidable opponent to the other Nigerian Presidential Candidates. Despite calls for the presidency to be moved back to the South (the current president is from the North), Kwankwaso and his supporters insist they will win on the strength of their accomplishments.
Will Kwankwaso become Nigeria’s president someday? Time will tell.
