Kwankwaso Unleashes Scathing Critique: Tinubu's Government Fails on Insecurity, Poverty – No Second Term!

Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has issued strong criticisms against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, specifically targeting its handling of insecurity and widespread poverty across Nigeria. Speaking on Friday in Jos, Plateau State, during a grand reception and town hall meeting, Kwankwaso declared that any government that fails in its fundamental duty to protect the lives and property of its citizens does not deserve to be re-elected for a second term.

The event, organized by the Middle Belt Youth Council, was dedicated to promoting the ‘Obi/Kwankwaso ticket’ and received support from various groups including the Big Tent, the Obidient Movement, the Kwankwasiyya Movement, and prominent NDC leaders. Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, was scheduled to chair the meeting but was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances in Enugu, as explained by Kwankwaso. Despite Obi’s absence, Kwankwaso assured supporters that they were 100 percent committed to the people of Plateau State and promised to schedule another joint visit soon to properly address the community.

A former governor of Kano State and Minister of Defence, Kwankwaso reiterated his belief that the current administration has failed significantly in tackling Nigeria’s pressing security challenges and alleviating economic hardship. He stressed the urgent need for leaders who are genuinely committed to protecting lives and actively working to improve the welfare of all Nigerians. His uncompromising stance was clear: “Any government that can not do that, we can not call that government a responsible government and that government does not deserve a second term.”

Kwankwaso championed the ‘Obi/Kwankwaso ticket’ as a beacon of unity and balance, designed to bridge regional, religious, and ethnic divides within Nigeria. He highlighted their shared vision, emphasizing the ticket's potential to foster unity across Plateau, Northern Nigeria, Southern Nigeria, and the country as a whole. “This ticket of ours is a balanced, very balanced ticket. Every person is represented. And the two of us stand for the future,” he affirmed.

Outlining the core agenda of a potential administration led by the ‘Obi/Kwankwaso ticket’, he stated that their priorities would include vigorously fighting insecurity, poverty, and illiteracy, while simultaneously making significant investments in agriculture and education. Kwankwaso expressed a personal commitment to ensuring that every child in Nigeria has the opportunity to go to school, referencing his successful educational initiatives during his tenure as governor of Kano State, where no child of school age was denied access to education. He also lauded Peter Obi’s similar achievements in Anambra State.

Drawing from his extensive experience as both a governor and a Minister of Defence, Kwankwaso identified illiteracy, poverty, and unemployment as the gravest challenges confronting Nigeria. He lamented the drastic decline of industries that once provided vital employment opportunities for citizens, including those in Plateau State, noting that many functional factories from the past are now gone, with little concern from current leaders. He passionately condemned the senseless killings resulting from banditry, Boko Haram insurgency, and communal clashes, asserting that it is the constitutional responsibility of the government to protect all citizens, irrespective of their religion, ethnicity, or region. He decried the tragic loss of lives, stating, “In this country, unfortunately, you wake up and find that 10 people, 20 people, 100 people, or even more, are killed like chicken and nobody cares.”

Kwankwaso concluded his address by urging the residents of Plateau State to rally behind the NDC in the upcoming 2027 general election. He called on them to vote for the ‘Obi/Kwankwaso ticket’ and to diligently protect their votes, recalling their successful efforts with the Obidients in 2023, which led to Peter Obi’s victory in Plateau State. He emphasized that with the added strength of the Kwankwasiyya movement, the 'balanced ticket' presents a significant opportunity for the nation. Earlier in the event, Kwankwaso conveyed his gratitude to the people of Plateau State for the warm reception extended to him and his entourage since their arrival, and also thanked Nigerians and those in the diaspora for their birthday wishes on October 21.