The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has mocked the previous Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, saying he has “boxed himself into one of the tightest corners in his political career” over what he described as his refusal or indecision to simply accept an earlier political olive department from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Keyamo in a press release on Sunday, famous that he had “always admired Engr. Mohammed Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso from a distance,” however argued that current political developments had left the previous governor dealing with a narrowing set of decisions forward of the 2027 common election.
According to him, Kwankwaso’s presidential ambition is on the centre of his present dilemma.
The assertion partly learn, “Kwankwaso needs to be President, however not one of the main political events will decide him as a candidate in 2027. APC & PDP are going South & ADC’s ticket is Atiku’s to lose.
“Atiku is the proprietor of ADC (argue along with your keypad, in the event you like). Only a serious political Party can win a Presidential election in Nigeria.
“NNPP is still a one-State Party, and with the recent wave of defections from NNPP (including the Governor himself), it is doubtful if it can maintain its grip on Kano in 2027. A leader is only as strong as his devoted lieutenants.”
He additional argued that the previous governor’s calculations rule out assist for a northern presidential candidate in 2027.
“Kwankwaso won’t assist a Northern candidate as a result of that ends his personal Presidential ambition since he could have to attend for one more 16 years after 2027 to get a shot on the Presidency – 8 doubtless years for the Northern Candidate and one other 8 doubtless years when it rotates to the South once more.
“That’s a gamble he WILL NOT TAKE. He will be 86 years old by then. So, this entirely rules out an ATIKU-Kwankwaso cooperation in 2027”, Keyamo’s assertion added.
Keyamo mentioned that primarily based on prevailing political realities, 2031 seems to be Kwankwaso’s most life like presidential window, however warned that selections taken in 2027 could be decisive.
“Based on the above calculations, the one pathway for Kwankwaso is in 2031, however the alliance he builds in 2027 will probably be essential to his ambitions in 2031.
“If his grip on Kano slips in 2027, it will water down his clout and influence in 2031 to be handed a Presidential ticket by any of the major Political parties. This is the time he can cash in on his presumed dominance of Kano politics and take a chance,” he added.
The minister narrowed Kwankwaso’s life like alliance choices to a few political events, noting that every comes with important limitations.
“Kwankwaso’s only chance of a realistic alliance now with a major political Party is actually narrowed down to the PDP, the APC or the Labour Party (only if Peter Obi returns there and picks the 2027 Presidential ticket, and he agrees to run as VP candidate to Obi). But all three options present their own challenges,” Keyamo mentioned.
On the Peoples Democratic Party, he said: “With the PDP now gasping for breath, it could be simpler for Kwankwaso to return to PDP on some phrases (like taking on your complete construction in Kano and a few North West States and returning Kano to PDP).
“And that will signal the death of the NNPP. But with the zoning of the Presidential ticket to the South, that would mean a suspension of his 2027 Presidential ambition till 2031.”
On the APC choice, Keyamo mentioned, “If Kwankwaso decides to pitch a tent with the APC, he’s in no place to dictate so many phrases to the Party. With the exodus of key figures from NNPP to APC in Kano, the APC’s construction in Kano is now in higher stead to problem the NNPP in 2027.
“The APC is subsequently not so determined for a Kwankwaso in Kano, however could be glad to welcome him into the Party. He nonetheless stays an asset. But one factor is certain: the APC can not throw its total construction in Kano below the bus for a Kwankwaso, particularly with the Governor parting methods with him.
“However, the attraction of the APC for him is that the APC still has the national spread and structures to retain power in 2031. So, an APC option for Kwankwaso will also mean a suspension of his Presidential ambition till 2031.”
On the Labour Party, he was categorical, stating, “The 2027 Labour Party option for Kwankwaso is narrower because he simply cannot and will not run as Vice-Presidential candidate to Peter Obi. Take that to the bank.
“His own people will not even support him to give a likely fresh 8 years to the South (forget all the noise of ‘I will serve just one term).”
Keyamo added, “From the situations above, Kwankwaso is in a really tough political crossroads. The determination he makes now could retire him completely from politics or revive his Presidential ambition.
“But one fact is clear: just like late Buhari and the CPC, without a handshake with another major Party, he will remain a local champion with his NNPP, but that too may soon vanish with the present predicament of the Party in Kano,” his assertion mentioned.
