Alhaji Aminu Ringim, a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has declared that former Kano governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso is the only politician capable of filling the void created by the death of former president Muhammadu Buhari in the North.
Ringim made the statement while addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said Kwankwaso’s track record in human and infrastructure development during his time as governor of Kano state places him in a strong position to assume northern leadership.
He described Kwankwaso, a former senator, as politically at par with the likes of Sir Ahmadu Bello and Aminu Kano, who championed the cause of the underprivileged.
His words: “It’s a difficult shoe to wear, no doubt, but if there’s anyone in contemporary Nigerian politics who embodies the trust, humility and mass appeal that Buhari represented, particularly among the talakawa, it is Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.
“Over the years, Kwankwaso has shown himself to be a deeply grassroots politician. He walks among the people, speaks their language, and understands their yearnings.
“His commitment to education, youth empowerment and social justice mirrors the same northern populist tradition that Buhari carried on.”
Ringim said Kwankwaso’s identity as a man of the people is evident in both his personality and his politics.
He said: “Kwankwaso doesn’t come across as elitist; he remains down-to-earth, accessible and passionate about lifting the poor.
“That’s why many are already looking to him to take on the mantle of northern leadership in this post-Buhari era.
“From the Kwankwasiyya red cap, which is more than just a symbol, to the emphasis on education, vocational training and discipline — these are Aminu Kano’s tools repurposed for the 21st century.”
Ringim noted that both Kwankwaso and Aminu Kano emerged from the same political soil in Kano and challenged the status quo.
“Kwankwaso, like Aminu Kano, believes in breaking the class barrier and creating opportunities for the children of the poor to rise.
“He doesn’t just speak of reform, he implements it, as we saw during his tenure as Kano governor and even as minister of defence,” he stated.
He said Kwankwaso’s appeal transcends religion, ethnicity, and class, positioning him as more than just a regional figure.
His words: “He’s not just a northern champion, he’s a Nigerian statesman in the making.
“Remember, he’s held national positions, he’s respected internationally, and he’s remained consistent in his ideology.
“Just like Ahmadu Bello was seen as the voice of the North and Tafawa Balewa was respected for his simplicity and diplomacy, Kwankwaso stands as a bridge between the old North and a modern progressive future.”
