Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and former governor of Kano State, has criticized a group of Northern elites for interfering in the selection of political candidates during presidential elections.

In an interview with BBC Hausa, Kwankwaso condemned these individuals for fostering division and undermining democratic principles through favoritism.

“This oppressive thing they are doing is causing discord in the community. It should not be said that the elders some of whom are our parents and brothers are showing favoritism in selecting candidates,” Kwankwaso stated.

He expressed frustration over false claims made by this group, such as declaring that “the North has agreed on its candidates,” when such decisions were made by only a few individuals. Kwankwaso referenced past elections, including the 2019 polls, where seven candidates emerged from the Northwest, yet the selection process was skewed.

Addressing rumors of an alleged agreement between himself, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, and Peter Obi of the LP regarding a rotational presidency, Kwankwaso dismissed these claims as baseless.

“This issue really hurts me. I was told that about forty-five Mallams were gathered and misled. They are spreading lies, claiming I agreed that Atiku would serve for four years, I for another four, and Peter Obi for eight years. This pact does not exist,” he clarified.

Kwankwaso urged regional leaders to prioritize truthfulness and impartiality, allowing voters to choose candidates based on merit rather than favoritism or coercion. He emphasized the importance of upholding democratic values to ensure fairness and transparency in future elections.