A prominent figure in the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has stated that he and his supporters received no personal or political rewards after contributing significantly to former President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 election victory.
Speaking in a televised interview, Kwankwaso claimed he helped mobilise nearly two million votes for Buhari during the 2015 presidential election but said neither he nor his political base benefited from the administration that followed.
He added that the lack of recognition for key political contributors reflects a broader pattern of dissatisfaction that has shaped recent political realignments in Nigeria.
Kwankwaso also linked Nigeria’s ongoing debate over power rotation to the political developments that followed the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010, saying it disrupted the country’s zoning arrangement.
He explained that the controversy over zoning and succession created confusion in Nigeria’s political structure, which continues to influence debates ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, his party has now supported zoning its presidential ticket to the South following the completion of a northern presidency cycle, arguing that it would help reduce political tension and improve national balance.
Kwankwaso further emphasized that competence and leadership quality should take priority over regional considerations, stressing the need for leaders capable of addressing Nigeria’s challenges effectively.
He noted that emerging political alignments and defections are part of a broader push for change as the country prepares for another major election cycle.
