2023 polls: the daring exploits of Kano and Kwankwasiyya

Emerging fourth among the top runners in the 2023 presidential race with 1,496,687 votes, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso not only displayed political dexterity, his presidential exit changed the calculus of both Congress All Progressive (APC) in power and People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Although pundits predicted that Kwankwaso's presidential debut was deliberately aimed at testing his domestic prospects, it is clear to many that Kwankwaso was more interested in reclaiming Kano from the ruling APC than Kwankwasiyya dominance.

Nevertheless, Kwankwaso rewrote history as Kano's first presidential candidate who not only secured majority votes but also defeated other candidates in his home state. For example, Malam Aminu Kano contested the same position under the People's Redemption Party (PRP) in 1979, but failed to win a majority vote in Kano.

Thanks to his huge popular support, Malam lost his base to Alhaji Shehu Shagari. Former Governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau also made a similar attempt in 2011 under the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP). Shekarau not only lost the race to a south-south contender, Malam was miserably beaten in his base.

Amidst the uncertain political climax that hosted the 2023 elections, Kwankwaso was clearly focused on the goal set, unafraid of taking any political risk. After being frustrated with the PDP, Kwankwaso was brave enough to form a new political party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), which was mainly rooted in Kwankwasiyya ideology.

The former two-term governor realized, really well, that beyond the hard-line spirit, the Kwankwasiyya movement needed to renew its vigor in the political scheme to defeat the ruling party. The energy boost was quite strong with the resounding victory of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) mainly in Kano.

After eight years behind the scenes, Kwankwaso's NNPP reclaimed all three Senate seats, 18 of 24 House of Representatives seats and 21 of 40 State House of Assembly seats while elections in 16 state house of assembly constituencies are yet to be completed.

History and Philosophy of the Kwankwasiyya MovementOriginally formed in 2007, the Kwankwasiyya Movement was started by political associates of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso with the clear motive of forming a formidable group to lobby against the ruling government. This was about three years after Kwankwaso was ousted from power by Shekarau and his conservative movement.

Based on strong human development, selflessness, commitment and political fundamentals, the Kwankwasiyya ideology over the years has encouraged members to persevere and be consistent in and outside of government.

“We were afraid at that time that if nothing was done to keep our political activities alive, after our defeat by the Shekarau government, many people would leave the party for other political parties. So, I had the idea to retain our supporters.

"I first approached Dr. Hafiz Abubakar and he agreed with me and together we came up with so many ideologies like promoting good governance, politics without bitterness, educating people to knowing their rights under democratic government and promoting youth becoming self-reliant among others." We spent about five months developing the ideas and programs of the movement. So after developing these programs and ideologies, we decided to incorporate the Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo who at the time was the highest ranking PDP being a senator.

“So we continued our meetings, sometimes at my house and sometimes at the residence of Senator Gwarzo or Professor Abubakar. It was towards its final conclusion that we drafted Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi and Governor Ganduje because at that time Ganduje was in Chad and he agreed with us. noted former state government secretary Rabiu Suliaman Bichi.

After reaching the level of formation, the movement launched its first political encounter in the 2011 gubernatorial election when Senator Kwankwaso staged its second coming under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against Saliu Sagir Takai, Mal's anointed candidate. Shekarau. By the way, Shekarau could not survive the overwhelming forces and grassroots support mustered by the Kwankwasiyya forces that upset the incumbent's power.

The return of Kwankwaso for his second and final term as governor of the state further strengthened and strengthened the movement to the point that the PDP leadership then felt uneasy. The insinuation, while not outlandish, was that Kwankwaso was too powerful with the mass supporters of the Kwankwasiyya movement that he (Kwankwaso) might soon assume party supremacy.

In 2014, Kwankwaso consolidated his political boldness, with the unwavering support of his defeated PDP movement and joined...