We delivered 2m votes, got nothing back, says Kwankwaso

Former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has said his political camp received no reward after helping former President Muhammadu Buhari win the 2015 election.

Speaking on Arise TV on Monday, Kwankwaso said he and his supporters risked everything to secure almost two million votes for Buhari during the election that ended the Peoples Democratic Party’s 16-year hold on power.

“I worked so hard. We brought about 1.9, almost 2 million votes,” he said.

“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.”

Kwankwaso argued that successive administrations since 1999 had failed to fully address the country’s challenges. He praised former President Olusegun Obasanjo for making efforts in office, said the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua struggled with ill health, and claimed former President Goodluck Jonathan faced difficulties linked to an alleged one-term arrangement.

Turning to the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he said, “Everybody knows there are issues with this administration again.”

Kwankwaso added that growing dissatisfaction across the country had strengthened support for the Nigeria Democratic Congress following his alliance with Peter Obi.

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

He also defended the decision to support a southern candidate for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket, insisting that leadership quality matters more than regional ties.

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