Kwankwaso presses Buhari to ensure surrogates don’t meddle in the process
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Muhammadu Buhari has not convinced Rabiu Kwankwaso with the pledge to do an honest job with the election as the Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate still feels the vote may not be free, fair, and credible.
Kwankwaso referred to the history of rigged elections in the country and said this year’s ballot would only be credible if the President and his surrogates in the Villa and other stakeholders do not meddle in the process.
He, however, expressed optimism that Buhari who has been a victim of election fraud would allow Nigerians elect their leaders without interference.
“Our fears are from INEC and other stakeholders because we have seen what happened in the past and most of this issue centred on the Villa and the President, not necessarily this President
“As long as the centre of the leadership in Abuja will allow the people to go and vote, I do not doubt in my mind that we are going to have a free, fair and credible election,” Kwankwaso said at Chatham House, London.
“For me, I have not seen any reason why Buhari will not allow that to happen because that is one of the only or few legacies that he would leave behind.
“When we were promoting him in 2015, we were in the opposition party, many things happened and he became the President although he had experience from the other side.
“Then, he had issues with stakeholders during the election. We believe that this election will be different.”
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Failed merger talks between NNPP and LP
Kwankwaso explained the merger plan between the NNPP and the Labour Party (LP) failed because the LP was at the peak of media hype during the talks, per The PUNCH.
“On Labour Party, I was initially interested in working with them. But at that time, they were at the peak of the media hype and we couldn’t reach a compromise. Our party is a national party, and we are commanding the support of the masses.
“The issue of character and trust is very important. That is our strength. I am not sure if there is anybody who can stand up among the leading candidates and say the same.
“If you say you will fight corruption or drugs, among others, can you give what you don’t have?
“We should not be found wanting and when you are found wanting in countries where they have shame, you do not even come out. Politics is not all about making noise.
“Yes, you were a Governor in a corner of a country, and that is fine but we have been at the centre for many years. There are many questions on some candidates whether they believe in the country or not.”