Strong indications were pointing towards Kwankwaso clinching a coveted spot in Tinubu’s cabinet.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) The APC suggests that criticism of Abdullahi Ganduje, the party’s Kano State National Chairman, may have led to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso missing out on a cabinet role in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Prior to the unveiling of Tinubu’s chosen ministerial nominees, strong indications were pointing towards Kwankwaso clinching a coveted spot in the government, fueled by his close ties with Tinubu, which were solidified during the presidential election.
However, when the list of ministerial nominees was finally revealed, Kwankwaso’s name was notably absent, leaving room for speculation. Instead, a slot was awarded to Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
The Director of Publicity for the APC, Bala Ibrahim, expounded on the party’s perspective, asserting that the recent criticisms of Ganduje’s tenure in Kano State by Governor Abba Yusuf of the NNPP and Kwankwaso’s political protege might have swayed Tinubu’s decision against appointing Kwankwaso as a minister.
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Ibrahim offered his viewpoint, stating, “Kwankwaso holds a significant position in Kano’s political landscape. However, the questionable methods employed by his Kwankwasiyya movement have resulted in a gradual erosion of support for him. The movement’s disruptive influence on Kano’s political scene, and by extension, Nigeria’s, cannot be overlooked.”
He continued, “The President, taking into account public sentiment and the effective implementation of his policies, especially his efforts to secure Kano’s allegiance, likely gauged the situation. Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje’s astute political acumen and experience in Kano politics are unparalleled. When you balance the two on a calibrated scale, Ganduje’s political influence far outweighs Kwankwaso’s.”
