Former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has thrown his weight behind the decision of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to zone its presidential ticket to the South for the 2027 election, describing the move as “a true opportunity for true national healing.”
Speaking at the NDC’s National Convention in Abuja, Kwankwaso, a loyal party member, declared his full support for the zoning arrangement, stating that it would allow the southern region to complete its turn in producing national leadership.
‘I Support the Decision to Zone to the South’
In a clear and unambiguous endorsement, Kwankwaso said:
“It is therefore with a great sense of unity and solidarity that, as a loyal party member, I support the decision to zone the presidential ticket of the NDC to the South, so that it allows the region to complete its turn in producing national leadership.”
He added: “This represents a true opportunity for true national healing. We shall work in abidance with the party’s agreement to ensure fairness and federal character in all ramifications.”
Kwankwaso expressed immense pleasure and a deep sense of fulfilment at the historic occasion, noting that the NDC has continued to attract quality members and ignite enthusiastic conversations among citizens and observers both at home and abroad.
“What began as a bold movement is steadily becoming a formidable platform for national renewal,” he said.
The former governor painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s current state, citing poor leadership as the reason the nation has been caught unprepared for global shifts.
“Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. The world is undergoing a profound geopolitical shift, yet our nation has been caught unprepared, largely because of poor leadership. Instead of positioning Nigeria to seize emerging opportunities, bad governance has left us bearing the brunt of global changes,” he stated.
He listed a sharp decline in the quality of life, insecurity creating “widows and orphans across the land,” millions displaced from their homes, fleeing investments, a collapsing education system, and “harsh economic policies imposed on citizens without meaningful safety nets or relief.”
Lessons from Nigeria’s Past
Kwankwaso drew lessons from Nigeria’s history, recalling visionary alliances that provided the way forward in challenging moments, including the NEPU-NCNC partnership in 1954, the NCNC-NPC coalition that birthed independence in 1960, and the NPN alliance that restored civilian rule in the Second Republic.
The NDC chieftain pledged that the party would change the way things are done today by prioritising “leadership without ethnic jingoism and religious favouritism.”
“The leadership standard we shall set will therefore restore Nigeria’s dignity and will guarantee that our citizens at home and in the diaspora will be treated with respect and dignity,” he said.
Kwankwaso urged Nigerians to register with INEC to vote and to join the NDC in what he described as a noble cause.
“Lastly, we can only achieve that by continuing to mobilise to register with INEC to vote, and the NDC to belong to this noble cause. Please register today,” he concluded.