The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, (NNPP), Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso on Wednesday alleged that APC and PDP leadership have eroded Nigeria as a nation getting up 24 years since the country returned to democratic government.
Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, Presidential candidate of NNPP.
He stated this while addressing Journalists at Abakaliki when he came to the Ebonyi to commission the NNPP office in the state.
Kwankwaso however, urged Nigerians to be wary of the APC and PDP in 2023, by voting against them, saying the two parties had failed the nation in all ramifications.
The NNPP presidential candidate belittled the credibility, competence and capacity of the presidential candidates of the APC and PDP, which he said would help the opposition party easily take possession of power in 2023.
"You see for people like us who have been in this game for some time, I believe in the understanding of what politics is all about.
“30 years ago, in 1992 I was a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. I was elected delegate to the national conference 1994/1995, and as governor between 1999 to 2003, served as a Minister in NDDC but later left there because of corruption.
“I went back to Kano as a governor, and in 2015, became Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am giving you this history so that you know we have meet people and are associated with many associations and groups," he said.
Speaking on his relationship with Governor David Umahi, as an opposition party member, Kwakwanso described Umahi as a good leader to associate with irrespective of party.
He said: "So, the party is important but what’s more important is your good relationship with people.
“We are not happy with PDP, which was why we took the collective decision and that was how we formed APC with five governors and produced the president in 2015.
"Unfortunately, while we are not happy with PDP, the APC group is now worst than PDP.
“One big mistake APC members did which is giving their ticket to the wrong person.
“They would have given their ticket to Dave Umahi or Nyesom Wike and many other good people who have performed but we didn’t want them as opposition and that was our prayer.
“We are happy now at the national level because APC has failed the nation and we are ready to take over leadership."
Recall that the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr David Umahi has called on political parties to carry out campaigns that will be devoid of rancour and acrimony.
Governor Umahi represented by this Deputy Governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe, emphasized that power belongs to God, advising politicians to be guided by that principle.
He said even though as a governor who is a member of the All Progressives Congress, with state executive council members welcomed the NNPP presidential candidate, his government upholds the principles of his party very dearly and prayed for the will of God should prevail in the country as the 2023 general elections were approaching.
"If God says he has anointed you, nobody can stop you, and if God says is us, please be magnanimous to continue to support us as you have always done," he added.
