What’s Kwankwaso’s game plan for the poll?
Mr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Kano State governor, has not withdrawn from the presidential election. He is still using the little known New Nigeria Political Party (NNPP). On the national outlook scale, Omoyele Sowore’s AAC is more popular.
The ex Kano State governor seems to be up to something as Nigerians move stealthily to the 2023 general elections. Kwankwaso’s game plan won’t be veiled for that long. It’s a matter of days.
Mr. Rabiu Kwankwaso should have known that he can’t be among the first three after the Independent National Electoral Commission may have released the results of the election. He will be behind the likes of Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
Why is he then in the race? He may be relying on the bulk votes from the northwestern state, Kano. But the votes won’t be enough to make him come second in the race for the Aso Rock. There is no doubt that Kano State produces at least one million votes. Yet they aren’t enough at all.
If Kano State isn’t enough to push or project Kwankwaso, what’s he up to then? He may want to negotiate with any of the other three candidates who are more serious in their campaigns. Who among them will that be?
If it is based on ethnicity, he will want to consider Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president, who is now running for the top office. He knows that majority of voters in Kano State will want to tilt towards Atiku Abubakar.
But one factor that may swing his decision is the fact that Kano State is currently under the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr. Umar Ganduje, the incumbent governor is a staunch loyalist of Bola Tinubu. And he will want to prove some points in that state.
Will Rabiu Kwankwaso prefer Peter Obi of Labour Party then? That one may not even be an option. Obi has his popularity only in the southern region. Kwankwaso risks losing it all if he throws his weight behind the ex Anambra State governor.
And supporting Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress will mean queuing behind Ganduje. The situation will be dicey for Kwankwaso. That might be the reason he keeps his cards to his chest.
Kwankwaso’s game plan won’t be a puzzle for long. He can’t afford to let time pass before he reveals it. And whatever it may be, it will surely have some impacts on the results of the election.
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