Former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has sparked reactions after releasing the full text of the speech he delivered at the national convention of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) held in Abuja on Saturday.
In the speech shared on social media, Kwankwaso described the convention as a historic moment for the party and said the NDC was gradually emerging as a strong platform for national renewal following the influx of new members and supporters.
According to him, Nigeria is currently facing severe political, economic, and security challenges caused by poor leadership and bad governance.
“We are witnessing a sharp decline in the quality of life. Insecurity has created widows and orphans across the land. Millions have been displaced from their homes,” he stated.
The former presidential candidate also criticised the state of infrastructure, education, and the economy, saying harsh policies had been imposed on citizens without adequate relief measures.
Kwankwaso used historical political alliances in Nigeria to justify the growing coalition within the NDC, referencing partnerships involving leaders such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Aminu Kano, Shehu Shagari, and Alex Ekwueme.
He declared support for the zoning of the NDC presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria, saying the decision would promote fairness, national healing, and unity.
“It is therefore with great sense of unity and solidarity, that as a loyal party member, I support the decision to zone the presidential ticket of the NDC to the South,” he said.
Kwankwaso further promised that the party would prioritise leadership devoid of ethnic and religious bias while restoring Nigeria’s dignity both locally and internationally.
He urged Nigerians to participate actively in the electoral process by registering with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and joining the NDC movement.
The speech has since generated widespread reactions online, with supporters praising Kwankwaso’s call for unity and restructuring of national politics, while critics questioned the viability of the emerging coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
