A senior member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Director of Finance at Hadejia Jama’are River Basin, Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, has dismissed the political influence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader Rabiu Kwankwaso, describing them as self-serving politicians with no real impact ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking to journalists in Kano, Illiyasu argued that their alliance lacks the strength to shape the next electoral cycle.
Kwankwaso Accused of Political Exploitation
Targeting Rabiu Kwankwaso, he questioned his political relevance, alleging that he leverages the success of others to remain in the spotlight.
“What does Kwankwaso truly bring to the table? He thrives on the achievements of others, just as we see with his influence over Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State,” Illiyasu asserted.
He further accused Kwankwaso of prioritizing personal interests over the welfare of his supporters, claiming that the former Kano governor frequently aligns with those in power for personal gain.
“Everyone knows Kwankwaso’s pattern—he gets close to power for his own benefit. That’s exactly what he is doing with President Tinubu, frequently visiting the Presidency for his own agenda, not for the people,” he alleged, cautioning Kwankwaso’s followers to remain vigilant.
Atiku’s Political Standing Questioned
On Atiku Abubakar, Illiyasu cast doubts on the former Vice President’s commitment to governance, pointing out that many of his allies previously supported the Buhari administration, which he criticized for poor leadership.
“How does Atiku claim to stand for good governance when he surrounds himself with politicians who backed Buhari’s eight years of failed leadership, insecurity, and human rights violations?” he asked.
Illiyasu also suggested that Atiku and Kwankwaso no longer have viable political platforms, citing internal conflicts within their parties.
“The PDP is in constant crisis, and Atiku has no firm control over it. Meanwhile, Kwankwaso has lost grip on the NNPP after the court ruled in favor of the faction with the ‘fruits’ logo. Politically, where do they stand?”
El-Rufai Branded a ‘Political Wanderer’
Turning to Nasir El-Rufai, the former Kaduna State Governor, Illiyasu dismissed him as a political nomad without a stable base.
“El-Rufai is nothing but a wanderer, moving from one political platform to another. How does he expect to achieve anything by joining the Social Democratic Party (SDP), a party that is already dead on arrival?” he remarked.
With the 2027 elections drawing closer, Illiyasu argued that none of the three politicians pose a significant challenge to the ruling APC, insisting that their influence has dwindled beyond recovery.
