We Were Ignored After Helping Buhari Win in 2015, Says Kwankwaso

Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said he and his political allies were not rewarded after playing a major role in delivering the 2015 presidential election victory of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Kwankwaso said his political bloc mobilised close to two million votes that contributed to Buhari’s emergence as President, ending the 16-year rule of the Peoples Democratic Party at the federal level.

He made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television on Monday, where he reviewed past political alliances and the broader trajectory of governance in Nigeria since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

“I worked so hard. We brought about 1.9, almost 2 million votes. But as politicians, we are not recognised. We put our lives even on the line at that time. But unfortunately, we could not see any benefit either as individuals or the constituencies that we represented,” he said.

Kwankwaso, however, did not specify the expectations his group had from the Buhari administration or the particular areas where he believed they were sidelined.

The former governor used the interview to assess successive administrations, saying Nigeria had continued to grapple with governance challenges despite political transitions.

He said former President Olusegun Obasanjo recorded some achievements during his tenure, while the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s government was constrained by health challenges. He also noted that Goodluck Jonathan’s administration was shaped by political agreements that influenced his single-term ambition.

Speaking on the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kwankwaso said there was growing pressure from citizens for change in direction.

“Everybody knows there are issues with this administration again,” he said.

He added that political agitation was now widespread at different levels of the country.

“And therefore, people are determined at grassroots level, and even at the level we are operating now, that there should be some level of changes,” he stated.

Kwankwaso also linked rising political realignments to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), saying the platform had gained traction since he and Labour Party’s Peter Obi joined on May 3.

“Since we decided to join NDC, Nigerians have decided to come and join us. People are opening offices everywhere across the world. So we are happy about that,” he said.

On zoning and leadership selection, the former governor argued that regional origin was not enough to guarantee effective governance.

“What is key is to have quality leadership, people who are enthusiastic, determined and committed to give the country the leadership it deserves,” he said.

His comments come amid early political positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections, as parties and alliances intensify consultations nationwide.