Only Kwankwaso Can Replace Buhari – Ringim

A chieftain of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Alhaji Aminu Ringim, has said former Kano State governor and Kwankwasiyya Movement leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is the only politician that can fill the political void created by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s death in the North.

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja yesterday, Ringim listed Kwankwaso’s efforts on human and infrastructure development when he was Kano governor as the basis for  his position.

He placed Kwankwaso on the same level with late northern leaders Sir Ahmadu Bello and Alhaji Aminu Kano who fought for the underprivileged.

“It’s a difficult shoe to wear, no doubt, but if there’s anyone in contemporary Nigerian politics who embodies the trust, humility and mass appeal that Buhari represented,  particularly among the talakawa, it is Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.

“Over the years, Kwankwaso has shown himself to be a deeply grassroots politician. He walks among the people, speaks their language, and understands their yearnings. His commitment to education, youth empowerment and social justice mirrors the same northern populist tradition that Buhari carried on.

“Kwankwaso doesn’t come across as elitist; he remains down-to-earth, accessible and passionate about lifting the poor. That’s why many are already looking to him to take on the mantle of northern leadership in this post-Buhari era,” Ringim said.

He added that Kwankwaso is the closest living politician who exemplifies Aminu Kano’s philosophy of egalitarianism and service to the grassroots people. “From the Kwankwasiyya red cap, which is more than just a symbol, to the emphasis on education, vocational training and discipline, these are Aminu Kano’s tools repurposed for the 21st century.

“And don’t forget, both men rose from Kano’s political soil and both dared to challenge the status quo. Kwankwaso, like Aminu Kano, believes in breaking the class barrier and creating opportunities for the children of the poor to rise. He doesn’t just speak reform, he implements it, as we saw during his tenure as Kano governor and even as minister of defence.

So, many of us see him as an ideological descendant of the late Mallam,” he said.

He said  Kwankwaso had built a political structure that goes beyond Kano and has loyal supporters in Katsina, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and even far into the North Central.

“What makes him unique is that his appeal cuts across religion, ethnicity, and even class. He’s not just a northern champion, he’s a Nigerian statesman in the making. Remember, he’s held national positions, he’s respected internationally, and he’s remained consistent in his ideology. Just like Ahmadu Bello was seen as the voice of the North and Tafawa Balewa was respected for his simplicity and diplomacy, Kwankwaso stands as a bridge between the old North and a modern progressive future.”

He dismissed those who say Kwankwaso’s ambition is too regional and that his politics is centered around Kano.

According to him,  that’s a narrow reading of his political reach, and while it’s true that Kano is his stronghold and rightly so, his message has caught on beyond the Northwest.

“His performance in the 2023 presidential election, where he won in multiple states despite having a relatively new party structure, speaks volumes.

“The man speaks the language of hope, and hope has no boundary. He’s been a two-time governor, a senator, a minister — his politics has always had national coloration. Even the red cap movement is now seen in other parts of the North and beyond,” he said.

On traits that make Kwankwaso fit to be considered among northern political giants like Sardauna and Buhari, he said : “First, it’s his courage. Kwankwaso has never been afraid to speak his mind or stand against injustice. Second, it’s his strategic foresight. He invests in human capital. His free education policy, scholarship schemes, overseas training programs — all of these were done with the future in mind.

“Like Sardauna, he believes in educating the North as the key to liberation. Like Buhari, he stands firm on discipline and accountability. But unlike many in his generation, Kwankwaso is also a master of political mobilization. He built a movement, not just a party. That alone sets him apart.”

Ringim contended that with the clean Bill of health given Kwankwaso by the courts over his status as the leader of the NNPP, he is now in good stead to take another shot at the presidency in the 2027 poll.

Ringim who hinted that he may take another shot at the governorship of Jigawa in the 2027 poll acknowledged that there are overtures to woo Kwankwaso to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Certainly. There are backchannel talks everywhere. Everyone knows Kwankwaso is a political asset. Whether as a potential ally or a formidable opponent, you can’t ignore him. His value has increased tremendously. Even within the APC, there are voices that want him back — not just because of votes, but because he brings a people-oriented ideology that many think is missing,” he said.

” If APC is truly interested in broad-based development and northern consolidation, Kwankwaso is the kind of politician they must consider seriously.”