Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has asked Nigerians to learn from the political turmoil that the presidency of late Umar Yar’Adua threw the country into.
He asked Nigerians to examine, scrutinise and asked criticals questions, especially on health, about those vying to lead the country.
Recall that Yar’Adua died in office in 2010, hence paving way for his vice, Goodluck Jonathan, to become the president.
The former Kano state governor spoke on Sunday at a forum with the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, and senior journalists in Lagos.
He stated that some presidential candidates must be truthful with themselves and the people, noting that nature can’t be cheated.
He opined that some persons are hoping to become the president through the death of their principal, hence their decision to settle for the vice president.
“Now, people are not talking about parties. They are talking about candidates and individuals. The APC and PDP have failed Nigerians. That is why we are in this mess today. I am ready for debates. Let us put our cards on the table. Some of the candidates are running away from debates. Some of them should look at themselves in the mirror and tell themselves the truth. Some of them are our seniors. You cannot cheat nature. Anybody who says 2023 is his turn is making a huge mistake.
“In 2007, Yar’Adua was nominated as PDP candidate without consultation. There was no serious consultation. We knew things but there was no consultation and so we ran into trouble (with Yar’Adua’s ill health, attendant controversies, and using doctrine of necessity to swear in Dr Goodluck Jonathan as acting president, and his death). Today, that episode is recurring. Some people thought by becoming vice president they would soon be president.” he said
He also asked those expecting him to step down for another flag bearer to perish the thought because “for us in the NNPP and Kwankwansiya, our party is on the right track to clinch the leadership of the country.”