A chieftain in the Northern part of the country, Alhaji Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, has dismissed concerns raised by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), following the comment by APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje that northern politicians should wait till 2031 to return to power.
Kwankwaso said the group has no real influence to stop President Bola Tinubu from winning in northern Nigeria in the 2027 elections.
Kwankwaso, who serves as the Director of Finance for the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin argued that the ACF lacks the political strength to speak on behalf of the northern region.
“Most of you in this forum were in power for decades, but what did you do for the North that you now claim to defend? Nothing. Rather, you only served your personal interests, nothing more,” Kwankwaso said.
He also criticized some individuals within the ACF, particularly Solomon Dalung, Najaatu Muhammad, and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. He accused them of failing to bring real development to the North despite holding influential positions.
Referring to Solomon Dalung, he said, “Were you not silent after gaining power in Buhari’s government despite your critical stance on misgovernance?”
Kwankwaso praised Tinubu’s administration, saying that within just a few months, the president had done more for the North than many past leaders. He pointed to major projects, including the newly approved Northwest Development Commission and the N150 billion allocated for the Kano Metro Rail project. He also highlighted the over N600 billion in funding for the commission, which he said would bring significant development to the region.
““Today, the entire northern Nigeria has become a project site with so many projects ongoing, and these are made possible by the full support of President Tinubu. More are coming as he reclaims power in 2027,” Kwankwaso stated.
He also commended APC Chairman Ganduje for strengthening the party and welcoming many top politicians from other parties. He noted that the APC has gained more states in recent elections and continues to attract key political figures.
Kwankwaso claimed that the increasing defections to the APC have unsettled the Kwankwasiyya movement, which, according to him, is now losing its political grip in the North. He expressed confidence that Tinubu’s achievements would ensure his victory in the 2027 elections, despite opposition efforts.
