Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State and presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has ruled out the possibility of stepping down for any other candidate, noting that neither Atiku Abubakar nor Bola Tinubu can defeat him in 2023 if the election is free and fair.
Kwankwaso said his Kwankwasiya movement is very popular and will even win in the North-Eastern region, the region of Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the PDP.
The former Kano governor who spoke in an interview with the Punch, noted that the signing of the electoral act into law is a good development as it would reduce electoral malpractice and work in his favour.
“I’m happy that the Electoral Bill was signed into law, and that would make it difficult for anyone to rig us as they’ve always done in the past,” he said.
“Once there’s a free and fair election, it’ll be difficult for anyone to defeat us. Hence, I am certain of victory against Presidential candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, and Atiku Abubakar of the major opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, at the polls in 2023.”
Asked if he would be willing to sacrifice his presidential ambition for Atiku to facilitate the defeat of the APC and its candidate, Bola Tinubu in the general elections, Kwankwaso said, “I won’t be stepping down for anyone, our party is popular across the country, and we’re sure of victory at the polls.
“Our candidacy is based on capacity and performance. Nigerians will not vote for any experiment now, people are looking for those that have done it better in the past, and people who are trusted. Nigerians want someone that can unite Nigeria, improve the education system, and end the issue of incessant insecurity. We’ve always cared for the people. And many, especially the poor masses, were happy that I got the presidential ticket of the NNPP.
Kwankwaso, who was rumoured to be planning an alliance with Peter Obi, Labour Party presidential candidate, insisted that his supporters would defeat both Tinubu and Atiku at the polls.
“It is not me that would defeat Tinubu and Atiku, rather, it is the masses of this country that believes in us. Although I and the party will only be a symbol on the ballot paper, it is the people that will go to the polling booths to vote them out because the difference between me and the two other major candidates is very clear. They are well-known to Nigerians, and they have nothing new to tell Nigerians. And I am also well-known, and the people know what I stand for.”