No benefits materialized following Buhari's 2015 win; Yar'adua's passing sparked zoning disputes, says Kwankwaso

Rabiu Kwankwaso, a prominent figure in the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has expressed disappointment that he and his supporters did not reap any benefits after contributing to the electoral victory of former President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 election, while also citing the passing of former President Umar Musa Yar’adua as a factor that muddled Nigeria's zoning arrangement.

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Kwankwaso made these remarks during a television interview on Arise TV on Monday, where he shared his thoughts on the 2015 election, Nigeria's leadership since 1999, and the ongoing debate surrounding the zoning of the 2027 presidency.

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According to Kwankwaso, his efforts secured nearly two million votes for Buhari in the 2015 presidential election, yet he and his supporters were not acknowledged or rewarded by the administration, despite the risks they took to support the campaign.

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Kwankwaso stated, "I worked so hard, delivering almost 2 million votes, but as politicians, we were not recognised, and we saw no benefits, either as individuals or for the constituencies we represented."

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The dissatisfaction with successive administrations has fueled the demand for political change across the country, and Kwankwaso noted that many Nigerians are now rallying behind the NDC following his defection, along with Peter Obi, on May 3.

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Kwankwaso defended the NDC's decision to allocate its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, arguing that the controversy surrounding power rotation began after Yar'adua's death in office in 2010.

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He explained that the party's stance is to "take it to the south" to eliminate the confusion that arose from Yar'adua's passing, which "introduced the confusion into the system."

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Kwankwaso acknowledged that people have different interpretations of the zoning arrangement, but the party's position is that power should remain in the South after Buhari's eight-year tenure.

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He emphasized that competent leadership is more crucial than regional considerations, stressing that Nigeria needs leaders who are dedicated to moving the country forward.

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Kwankwaso believes that consensus is essential, and the focus should be on "quality leadership – people who are enthusiastic, determined and committed to giving the country the leadership it deserves."

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He further noted that "it's not only the man from your end that will make the country move forward," highlighting the importance of effective leadership over regional affiliations.