Fatshimetrie
In the heart of the political arcana, sensational statements are flying, sometimes giving food for thought or amusement. When we look at the recent interview of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State and leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), we cannot help but smile at his bold statements.
In his interview, Kwankwaso boasts of being politically more important than Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Workers Party (LP) in the 2023 elections. With an undeniable sense of ego, he claims to be Peter Obi’s “elder brother”, a PhD holder and to have surpassed the latter when he was governor of his state. Yet, these claims are perplexing, as they seem to be tinged with confusion, egotism and delusion.
Let us analyze these extravagant claims in more detail. Kwankwaso claims to be “bigger” than Peter Obi, but the official figures from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) tell a different story. In the February 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi came third with 6,101,533 votes, while Kwankwaso only polled a modest 1,496,687 votes, a distant second. How can a million be considered “bigger” than six million, except in Kwankwaso’s delusional imagination?
Furthermore, Peter Obi led the LP to win seven Senate seats, while Kwankwaso’s party won only two, both from Kano. In the House of Representatives, the LP won 36 MPs to the NNPP’s 18, almost half. Even Obi’s political nemesis, Nyesom Wike, has acknowledged that Peter Obi is the key element in the 2023 general elections.
Kwankwaso’s alleged superiority is also based on criteria such as age and performance as governor. However, age is not a determining factor in politics, as the example of Joe Biden has shown. Moreover, Kwankwaso’s claims about his performance as governor are questionable, given Peter Obi’s notable achievements during his tenure.
It is interesting to note that despite Kwankwaso’s educational achievements, Peter Obi has managed to elevate Anambra to the top in examination performance, while demonstrating exemplary integrity, frugality and sense of duty. Conversely, Kwankwaso seems more of a professional politician whose wealth comes from politics.
Ultimately, the differences between Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso are stark. Their political visions and philosophies diverge profoundly, making their collaboration unlikely. While Peter Obi embodies integrity and pragmatism, Kwankwaso appears to be motivated by partisan considerations and personal ambitions..
In a multi-party coalition scenario, where Peter Obi is designated to lead, it is imperative that he be able to choose his own vice president. Such a decision cannot be imposed and requires a set of common values and goals. In this sense, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed appears to be an ideal choice, combining patriotism, intelligence and a commitment to progress.
In conclusion, Kwankwaso’s claims to Peter Obi reflect more of an ego crisis and a lack of realism than genuine political superiority. In Nigeria’s complex political arena, the sincere, visionary and honest leadership of figures such as Peter Obi seems to trump the partisan calculations and personal ambitions of politicians such as Kwankwaso.