13th October, 2014
Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State said he has concluded consultations with political leaders nationwide and is now ready to declare his intention to contest the 2015 presidential elections.
Chief Olisaemeka Akamukali, his campaign co-ordinator said the twice-elected Kano state governor and former defence minister will declare his intention on 23 October.
Akamukali said Kwankwaso, has age, political experience and a good followership at the grassroots on his side.
“We agree that Buhari is a man of integrity but you will also agree with me that age is not on his side. He is 71 going to 72 years, while the ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar is almost 70 years old.
“But Kwankwaso will be 58 years old by Oct. 21; It is also not true that the governor is a dark horse in the contest.
“Kwankwaso has had long years of experience in politics beginning from 1991 when he emerged the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
“He had been a parliamentarian, a governor and two-time minister. Upon losing the election in Kano State, he congratulated the winner and waited for eight years before staging a come-back to defeat the incumbent.
“The governor is a grassroots politician and one who tries to carry his followers along in his undertakings,’’ Akamukali said.
The campaign coordinator said he would not be surprised if the governor’s former colleagues in the PDP would want to support his aspiration to become president.
On the governor’s qualification, Akamukali said Kwankwaso had a doctorate in engineering, had not been convicted by any competent court and is not wanted by the EFCC or other government anti-graft agencies.