- The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential flag bearer, Rabiu Kwankwaso has disclosed that he will not be willing to become anyone’s running mate in the upcoming 2023 presidential elections.
- He stated this in an interview with newsmen on saturday in Gombe while inaugurating the state office of the ANPP, that becoming anyone’s running mate will only lead to the collapse of the party.
- He also furnished that NNPP had come into limelight within a very short while due to his high political profile built over time coupled with his experience of serving in various capacities within the country.
- He revealed that his party had been in talks with the Labour Party, but the only limiting factor is who becomes the Presidential flag bearer.
“From the discussion with Labour Party, the main issue was who becomes the president if the parties merge.
“At the end of the day, some of our representatives thought that there should be a criteria in terms of age, qualification, offices held, performance and so on.
“Of course the other side wouldn’t want that. Most of the people from there believe that presidency has to go there (South East).
“If now I decide to be vice presidential candidate to anybody in this country; NNPP will collapse, because the party is based on what we have built in the last 30 years.
“I served for 17 years as a civil servant; we are talking of 47 years of very serious hard work that is what is rarely holding NNPP now,” he said.
Kwankwaso further stated that he is not against the Presidency coming from any section of the country, but it should be done with strategy, political calculation and equation.
He noted that though the south east are very talented and good in business, but political strategy eludes them and this they must learn.“in politics they are at the bottom line.” He said.
He stated that the zone had lost out on the presidential and vice presidential candidates of both All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but had a chance with the NNPP.
He stated that those saying “even if my friend (Peter Obi) wants to accept vice presidential candidate, some people in the South East will not accept, that is not strategic.”
He said Bola Tinubu was strategic to have supported the APC in 2015 and “today he is the presidential candidate of the APC.”
Kwankwaso said that this is a golden opportunity for the South East to partner with the ANPP, and that if they lose it, then it is a complete disaster for them.
He also believes that come 2023, his party has the structure, capacity and population to win the election come 2023.
He promises that if elected into the exalted office, he will help Nigerians youths in the areas of job creation, empower them for a better life educationally and economically.
