Let us analytically examine the above statement, and you will see why Kwankwaso makes me laugh. The former governor of Kano State and leader of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) betrays his confused state of mind, egotism, and delusion in making this spurious claim. He asserts he is “bigger” than Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) during the 2023 elections, without justifying his claim. He cannot justify it because it is a blatant lie.
Looking at the official figures released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in the presidential election of February 25, 2023, INEC scored Peter Obi third with 6,101,533 votes. Kwankwaso came a distant fourth with 1,496,687. How can one million be “bigger” than six million except in Kwankwaso’s delusional books? Furthermore, Peter Obi led the LP to win seven seats in the current 10th Senate, with senators drawn from several parts of the country, while Kwankwaso’s party only picked up two seats, both from Kano. In the House of Representatives, the LP netted 36 members, while the NNPP got 18, almost half. Even Obi’s arch-political foe, Nyesom Wike, confessed that Peter Obi was the main issue in the 2023 general elections.
Kwankwaso’s second claim, leading him to the queer conclusion that he is a better candidate, is based on age. Since when did age really matter in politics? Indeed, age is often a negative factor. It was Joe Biden’s age-related problems that threw him out of the race for President of the United States. One of Nigeria’s most effective rulers ever, General Ibrahim Babangida, consistently picked older deputies—Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe and Admiral Augustus Aikhomu. Namadi Sambo, President Goodluck Jonathan’s VP, was three years older. Age has nothing to do with quality leadership.
The Kano politician also claims he “performed better” as governor. Says who? Beauty is usually in the eyes of the beholder. In spite of Kwankwaso’s touted educational achievements, Obi, who was his peer in office, took Anambra from 26th to first in WAEC and NECO performances. Kwankwaso’s Kano languished behind. Obi made news as the only governor so far who handed over billions of naira and millions of dollars in savings to his successor. He is also an accomplished economist, businessman, and industrialist with a proven record of incorruptibility, frugality, and self-effacement.
In contrast, Kwankwaso (PhD) is a professional politician who made his billions from politics. He is a political dealmaker, as evidenced during the 2023 presidential race when he was ready to step down for Bola Tinubu of the APC “if certain conditions are met,” as he often puts it. Even after the elections, he continued to hobnob with “victorious” Tinubu until their negotiations fell apart.
In terms of trust and leadership abilities, Obi is miles ahead of Kwankwaso. The latter seems to recognize this, thus his willingness to “deputise” for the same man he claims to be better than. The truth is that Obi and Kwankwaso are like water and oil; they don’t mix. Their paths and visions for Nigeria are fundamentally different, highlighting the stark contrasts in their political ideologies and leadership styles.