Why I won’t speak on rift with Ganduje now – Kwankwaso
A former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (APC, Kano Central), in this interview with some journalists, spoke on the agitation for secession by Igbo groups, the quit notice by some northern youths, his rift with Governor Abdullahi Umar
In the last few weeks, Nigeria has been on edge, occasioned by secession agitation by Igbo groups and quit notice by a northern youth group. What is your take on this?
As far as I am concerned, the unity and development of this country is key. Therefore, we will continue to stand by it. I call on all my friends in all the states and local governments to join hands and ensure that there is peace in the country. And peace can only come when things are handled the way they should.
I believe that Nigerians are good people. Of course, there are few who are on the opposite side, but they are very few in terms of percentage. That’s why we have the security agencies and leaders across the country. That is why we have to use our resources to ensure that nobody destroys the unity of this country.
Going by what we read in the newspapers, my understanding of the situation is that people agitating in the South-East are saying there is the need for more appointments, developments and so on. As far as I am concerned, for one part of the country to be talking of secession because of appointments is going too far. For those of us who have been in politics for long, and going by my personal experiences across the country and beyond, some people may start agitation because of their own personal interests. Some of them are politicians; and everybody has his way of starting it.
Before 1992, when I was a civil servant, I started politics through self-help and group activities. That was how I galvanised my constituency and local government. I won’t be surprised if Nnamdi Kanu decides to contest election in the next political dispensation. That’s how so many of them started. They mobilise, and at the end of the day they become heroes and champions and start championing their personal interests. If you look at it, it is only the locals in the South-East that are giving him a lot of support on the surface; and those who are outside the country.
I can assure you that none of those who are in Nigeria, especially my friends who are here in the North, will ever support any division. When I was in Kano, I worked very hard to promote the unity of the country. Now, if you go to Kano, there is a particular layout called ‘New Enugu,’ which is not far from the airport. It is more beautiful than any part of Enugu State. They are living happily, and most of them are doing good businesses. We love them in Kano as they are very hard working people.
South-East leaders should come out to condemn the agitations by these young men. Maybe they have kept quiet because they are afraid of attack from the young men. That will not help anybody. That’s not the way to go. The way to go is for the elders to come out and say the right thing at the right time.
I don’t know the young men who gave the ultimatum in the North, and I’m not sure they meant it, but some are saying that people in the North are sick and tired of all these agitations. People want to make progress, but with all these calls they are just dragging them backwards. Therefore, in their own opinion, they gave the ultimatum for peace to reign. I don’t believe that the people in the North are interested in allowing people to leave. The general belief in the North is that we are better together as long as we have peace and work together as a family in the general interest of our people.
This is why I have to thank the acting president for calling the meetings with leaders in the North and the South-East, even though the issue is not just between northerners and easterners. It has to do with every part of the country. There is need for parents, politicians, journalists and all others to work together deck to make sure that there is peace in the country.
I don’t think the northern youth would go in the street if the ultimatum they gave expires. But miscreants may want to take the opportunity to do things that probably was not designed by the youth.
The advantage of strong political parties cannot be overemphasised. The implications is that whenever you have strong political parties on the ground, consisting of Muslims, Christians and people from every zone of this country, issues like this would have been discussed in the party. You will find out that friendship and brotherhood are being built, and nobody will be in a hurry to abuse anybody who is a friend in that political party. And by extension, it means you have would peace in the country.
Unfortunately, our parties are being weakened and they cannot function well. The APC especially, is not well funded. There is need for all of us who are elected under it to make our contributions in line with the party’s rules and regulations. Other sources of funding must be explored by the party itself. We need to be proactive. Up till now, I can’t remember when we had a very serious meeting. By that, you will allow individual groups, leaders, youths and others to take over the party.
The opposition is also divided, for whatever reason. The party has been in court for a very long time; and it’s like they have irreconcilable differences. This will not help the system because we need an opposition party. We need to be challenged. Without it, everybody will just go to bed and sleep. Under this circumstance, we are bound to witness what is happening now.
The Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai has insisted that the northern youth who issued the quit notice must be arrested. Do you subscribe to this?
When you hear things like this, the first thing to do is to invite them if you know them. Sit them down and discuss with them. You need to dialogue with them. But that is not to say that if somebody decides to do something that is not in line with the law he would not be asked to defend himself. There is the need for caution on both sides.
How would you assess this administration in terms of appointments and development, especially as it affects the SouthEast?
Individuals, communities, local governments, states and regions must not act based on one link of a very huge chain. There are ways of communicating grievances, not by saying you want to break up. In politics we have to dialogue. You are given today and you are happy, but one day you may not get, either as individuals or states. I’m sure you remember that there were so many of such allegations by some people in the last administration, but nobody called for breakup. That is not the way. The way is to dialogue because many people may not be in a hurry to bend because of intimidation.
How correct is it that you are politically on exile?
I’m sure you are referring to Kano. This is not the time to talk about Kano. The time will come when you will be invited for me to talk on it.
All efforts to reconcile you with your successor, Governor Ganduje, has not yielded results. What is your grudge with him?
Let us discuss national issues for now; when we start talking of local politics in Kano we will talk to you.
Recently, a pressure group in the North shortlisted 11 persons, including you, as potential candidates of the region for the presidency come 2019. Are you going to heed their call?
You see, at a certain level you cannot stop people from making speculations. As far as I am concerned, 2019 is far away. This is not the time to start campaigning. You can start consultations but not campaigns. I don’t believe it is time to do that.
It is generally believed that the rift between you and Ganduje, Senator Shehu Sani and El-Rufai in Kaduna, the Bauchi crisis and others would affect the fortunes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) come 2019. How do you see this?
People are bound to have their opinions, but I want to tell you that the party leadership is working on that.
Is there any likelihood that you would leave the APC?
I think we should think positively. We are happy in the APC now. We are comfortable with our leaders in Abuja; they have not done anything wrong.