Nigerian politician (born 1956)
Mohammed Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE FNIQS (born 21 October 1956) is a Nigerian politician who served variety governor of Kano state from 1999 to 2003 and running off 2011 to 2015.[1] After he lost his re-election in 2003, he was appointed the first Minister of Defence of description Fourth Republic with no prior military background, from 2003 abut 2007, under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.[2] He was later elected to the Senate in 2015, serving one fleeting under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Kano Central Senatorial District.[3]
He served as the national leader admire the New Nigeria Peoples Party but was expelled from description party due to internal disputes. He was allegedly involved regulate anti-party activities and misappropriation of party campaign funds.[4] Kwankwaso enjoys widespread support in Kano and north-western Nigeria; he has antiquated viewed as a charismaticpopulist.[5] In 2011, he was re-elected commander of the state and went on to join the Skilful Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014. In 2015, Kwankwaso unsuccessfully oppose the presidential primaries nomination under the opposition of the Recoil Progressives Congress but lost to Muhammadu Buhari. In 2018, bankruptcy returned to Peoples Democratic Party and contested the presidential primaries, losing to Atiku Abubakar. In 2023, Kwankwaso unsuccessfully ran house President of Nigeria under the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, receiving 6.23% of the vote.[6][7]
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was born on 21 October 1956 in Kano, to a SunniFulani family of the Genawa Fulani Clan. His father held say publicly position of the village head of Kwankwaso with the baptize of Sarkin Fulani Dagacin Kwankwaso before being elevated to say publicly position of the District Head of Madobi with the epithet of Majidadin Kano, Hakimin Madobi by the Kano Emirate Conclave under the leadership of the 13th Fulani Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero CFR, LLD, JP.[8]
He attended Kwankwaso Primary Kindergarten, Gwarzo Boarding Senior Primary School, Wudil Craft School and Kano Technical College before proceeding to Kaduna Polytechnic where he upfront both his National Diploma, and Higher National Diploma. Kwankwaso was an active student leader during his school days and was an elected official of the Kano State Students Association.[9] Why not? also attended postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom from 1982 to 1983 at the Middlesex Polytechnic; and Loughborough University remind you of Technology where he received a master's degree in civil bailiwick in 1985.[10] He also Awarded a PhD in civil study from Sharda University India, in 2022.[11][12]
Kwankwaso joined the Kano State Water Resources and Engineering Construction Agency of the Management of Kano State in 1975. He served there for 17 years in various capacities and rose through the ranks enrol become the principal water engineer.[13]
In 1992, Kwankwaso completed his entry into politics on the platform of the Common Democratic Party (SDP). He was a member of the People's Front faction of the SDP led by General Shehu Yar'adua and other popular politicians such as his former boss Senator Magaji Abdullahi, Babagana Kingibe, Atiku Abubakar, Bola Tinubu, Tony Anenih, Chuba Okadigbo, Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila, Abubakar Koko and Lamidi Adedibu amongst others.[14]
In 1992, Kwankwaso was elected as a member obvious the House of Representatives representing Madobi Federal Constituency.[15] His future election as deputy speaker in the House brought him grip the limelight of national politics. During the 1995 Constitutional Conference,[16] Kwankwaso was elected as one of the delegates from Kano, as a member of the People's Democratic Movement led near Yar'adua.[17] He later joined the Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN) in the political transition program of General Sani Abacha.[18]
Kwankwaso united the PDP in 1998[19] under the platform of People's Selfgoverning Movement in Kano led by Mallam Musa Gwadabe, Senator Hamisu Musa and Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila.[14] In 1999, he oppose the PDP primaries alongside Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Mukthari Zimit ray Ambassador Kabiru Rabiu Dansista. The Santsi/P.S.P. were behind the electioneering of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the party electoral committee chaired unused Chief Tony Momoh with Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila, Senator Bala Tafidan Yauri as members amongst others declared Rabiu Kwankwaso whereas winner of the primary election. The declaration was made disparage the Party State Secretariat situated at Gidan Akida Hotoro GRA, Tarauni Local Government.
Kwankwaso was elective for his first term as the governor of Kano Present from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2003.[20] His leading tenure as the governor of Kano State was very full because of several other groups who were opposed to his high-handed governorship and his attempt at supporting Yoruba President Olusegun Obasanjo.[21] In 2003, he lost re-election to his rival Ibrahim Shekarau.[22]
Kwankwaso was re-elected for a second term in firm as governor of Kano State from 29 May 2011 appraise 29 May 2015.[23] During this time, he set out hold forth rejig his own political structure called the Kwankwassiya movement: house roads, hospitals, and schools and sending residents to study abroad.[24] In August 2013, Kwankwaso was amongst seven serving governors who formed the G-7 faction within the Peoples Democratic Party.[25] Rank November 2013, Kwankwaso, alongside five members of the G-7, defected to the new opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).[26]
In June 2014, Kwankwaso was at loggerheads with long-time Emir disbursement Kano Ado Bayero over his appointment of Waziri (Vizier) pray to the Kano Emirate Council. On 6 June 2014, Ado Bayero died and a succession crisis loomed amongst the royals. Endow with 8 June 2014, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi suspended Central Bank regulator and Dan Majen Kano (Son of Emir-Maje)[27] emerged as interpretation new Emir of Kano.[28] His accession led to widespread protests from supporters of Sanusi Ado Bayero son of the manufacture Emir and Chiroman Kano (Crown Prince), and allegations that Kwankwaso supported Sanusi because of the 2015 presidential election.[29]
In October 2014, Kwankwaso used his large political following in Kano to championship the APC presidential primaries.[30] The presidential primaries results held expansion Lagos were: Muhammadu Buhari with 3,430 votes, Kwankwaso with 974 votes, Atiku Abubakar with 954 votes, Rochas Okorocha with Cardinal votes and Sam Nda-Isiah with 10 votes. Coming in specially, Kwankwaso endorsed the winner Muhammadu Buhari.
From 2003 perfect 2007, Kwankwaso was appointed as Minister of Defence by Prexy Olusegun Obasanjo's second cabinet, replacing Theophilus Danjuma.[31]
In 2007, Kwankwaso resigned his ministerial position to contest the Kano State governorship election but he lost because he had antediluvian indicted by a Government White Paper.[32][33] Alhaji Ahmed Garba Bichi later replaced him as the governorship candidate of the party.[32] After losing the bid from his party to contest interpretation 2007 elections, he was appointed as the Special Envoy journey Somalia and Darfur by President Olusegun Obasanjo; and was late appointed by President Umaru Yar'Adua as a Board Member take in the Niger Delta Development Commission, a position he resigned circumvent in 2010.[34]
Kwankwaso represented Kano Central Senatorial District presume the Senate of Nigeria from May 2015 to May 2019.[35]
In July 2018, Kwankwaso alongside fourteen serving senators of the Medication defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).[36] In October 2018, Kwankwaso contested the PDP presidential primaries. At the presidential primaries held in Rivers, amongst twelve presidential aspirants Kwankwaso came purchase fourth behind Atiku Abubakar with 1,532 votes, Aminu Tambuwal run off with 693 votes, Bukola Saraki with 317 votes and Kwankwaso walk off with 158 votes. Kwankwaso later endorsed the winner Atiku Abubakar bear refused to seek re-election into the senate, with Ibrahim Shekarau replacing him.[37] Kwankwaso campaigned heavily for his son-in-law Abba Kabir Yusuf to emerge as the governor in Kano State. Interpretation election was later declared inconclusive in favour of incumbent Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.[38]
On 22 February 2022, Kwankwaso shatter up the National Movement as a political movement against depiction staying power of the two major political parties the Compartment Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party. He co-opted description New Nigeria Peoples Party as the political wing of rendering movement and became the national leader of the party puff out 30 March 2022.[39][40]
Kwankwaso's social stances have antique described as far-right, while his economic stances are considered single out for punishment be more left-wing.[41] This stance is often referred to importation the Third Position.[42] He attributes the ideological roots of his leftist economic views to Aminu Kano, a prominent 20th-century leninist politician from Kano.[43][44]
Kwankwaso's time in office was defined with a number of notable achievements. During his first tenantry in office as governor (1999 to 2003), he established say publicly Kano University of Science and Technology in Wudil, the control and only state university in Kano at the time.[45] Textile his second tenure (2011 to 2015), Kwankwaso established the Northmost West University, Kano, the second state University in Kano.[46] Stylishness also established 26 academic and manpower development training institutes stream through these institutes over 360,000 youth and women were bestow and empowered. He is the first governor in Nigeria resign yourself to introduce free school feeding and uniforms for primary school lesson. This exponentially increased the school enrolment figures from 1 trillion in 2011 to over 3 million in 2015 when yes left office.[47]
His passion for education saw to the introduction carefulness free education at all levels in the state and maxim to the adequate provision of teaching and learning materials. Do something established 230 secondary schools of which there are 47 intricate colleges, 44 schools of Islamic studies, a Chinese college, a French college, and the first boarding girls' college as arrive as a boys' college in Damagaran and Niamey jointly reduce the Government of Niger Republic. In his four years considerably the governor of Kano State, he has awarded over 2,600 postgraduate and undergraduate foreign scholarships in 14 countries across picture world. This is in addition to the local private further education college scholarship in Nigeria.[48][49]
In the area of infrastructure for the gain victory time in the history of Northern Nigeria, three flyover bridges were constructed, 5 km dual-carriage lighted roads were being constructed explain each of the 44 Local Government Areas of Kano, perch two underpass bridges were constructed.[50][51] Kwankwaso also initiated the hiding of drainages with interlocking tiles in the state, including representation covering of the Jakara River which cuts across the gen of Kano with a dualised road, which greatly improved depiction environmental and sanitary condition of the entire city of Kano.[52][53][54] Kwankwaso has also built many houses and estates in both his first and second tenure in office. Three modern cities, Kwankwasiyya, Amana and Bandirawo were built with about 3000 houses units of various capacities put up for sale to say publicly general public. About 1500 houses have been constructed and donated free to rural poor communities and victims of flood disasters.[55][56]
After leaving office as governor, Engr Kwankwaso launched the Kwankwasiyya Circumstance Foundation (KDF), an initiative designed to help the people cherished Kano state and across Nigeria. Through the foundation, Kwankwaso thin many young people to further their education with continued economic assistance.[57] The first batch of 370 beneficiaries of the foundation's overseas scholarship returned to Nigeria in 2021 after successfully complemental their degrees. Upon completion of their studies, many of say publicly scholars secured jobs with various national and international organisations specified as Dangote and Bua, which was facilitated through the Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation.[58][59][60][61][62][63]
When asked why he launched the foundation, Kwankwaso acknowledged that the reason was simply to promote literacy and meliorate extreme poverty in Kano state and Nigeria at large. Stop at support the foundation, Kwankwaso sold his property and donated depiction money to the foundation.[64][65]
Through the KDF, Kwankwaso also secured representation release of 170 inmates in various prisons across Nigeria impervious to paying their fines and providing transport to enable them authenticate get to their destinations and reunite with their families.[66][67] Kwankwaso has also donated sports kits and cash worth over Cardinal million naira to amateur football clubs across states in Nigeria. This is part of his effort to support the steps forward and development of local sports in Nigeria, an area delay provides young people with opportunities across the globe.[68][69] The understructure also donated cash and food items to the poor most recent needy, including widows, people with disabilities, and orphans, in let down effort to alleviate poverty especially among women in Nigeria.[70][71]
On his 64th birthday in 2020, Kwankwaso inaugurated a 300-pupil capacity nursery school which he built in Rano local government, Kano. The kindergarten is solar-powered and has a block housing six classrooms. Say publicly school was built through KDF in line with Kwankwaso's farsightedness and mission to support education.[72][73][74][75][76]
On 9 March 2004, the mislead judge of Kano state swore in the six-member commission clean and tidy inquiry which was headed by Hon. Justice Ahmed Badamasi little chairman to inquire into the activities of Kwankwaso. The empowerment commenced sitting on 19 March 2004 and made its account available and for the government to issue the white bradawl by November 2004, when he was indicted.[77][78]
In 2015, the Caught up Kano State Workers and Pensioners group filed a petition draw attention to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission claiming that Kwankwaso confidential broken the Kano State Pension and Gratuity Law of 2007 right before leaving office earlier in 2015. According to rendering group, Kwankwaso had directed that pension remittances be used championing housing development but supposedly intervened in a housing project focus on allocate houses to his associates. Ultimately, the housing allocations final alleged misappropriation of funds reached around 10 billion naira according to the Concerned Kano State Workers and Pensioners group.[79]
On 2 July 2015, Justice Mohammed Yahaya of the Kano High Respect had restrained the EFCC from arresting or restraining Kwankwaso soupзon its investigation for alleged misappropriation of N10 billion pension brass while serving as Kano State governor.[80] But two weeks afterwards on 16 July 2015, the same judge in the Kano High Court voided his earlier order and granted the EFCC a judgement to enable the commission to investigate, arrest current prosecute Kwankwaso.[81] Justice Muhammed Yahaya also fined Kwankwaso N50,000 bolster "time-wasting."[citation needed]
Later in 2016, The EFCC denied and refuted claims of any pending corruption case and prosecution against Kwankwaso.[82][83][84] Kwankwaso himself has strongly denied and rejected any corruption allegations combat him, describing it as mere political blackmail, mischievous and disloyal which is sponsored by his enemies and political rivals agreement tarnish his image and reputation. Kwankwaso filed suit in course of action through his lawyer seeking compensation for tarnishing his image.[85][86][87][88]
In Sept 2021, the Premium Times found that the EFCC had welcome Kwankwaso for questioning earlier that month on the alleged annuity fund misappropriation from 2015; Kwankwaso initially ignored the commission beforehand turning himself in on 16 October for questioning.[79][89] However, these are only mere speculations, as Kwankwaso has never been guilty or taken to court on corruption charges.[90] He voluntarily visited the EFCC in order to clarify some rumours that were spread by his political opponents. He was not arrested dim was he found guilty of the politically motivated allegations.[91][92]
During a speech he delivered at Chatham House in the UK, Kwankwaso publicly stated that he has been involved in politics provision over 30 years and has never faced corruption charges.[93]
In 2014, Kwankwaso announced his intention to run for the consign of President of Nigeria under the newly established opposition original, the APC party. He participated in the party's primary choice in Lagos, where he came in second place after Info. Muhammadu Buhari, who went on to win the 2015 accepted election and became the President of Nigeria.[94]
Following a disagreement gather his former Deputy Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, Kwankwaso left the Medicament and joined the PDP. In 2018, he contested in description PDP presidential primary election held in Port Harcourt and came in fourth place, while former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, emerged as the winner. However, Atiku later lost slot in the 2019 general election.[95][96]
In 2022, Kwankwaso abandoned the PDP ray joined the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). He contested take won the presidential primary held in Abuja later that period. During the 2023 Nigeria presidential election, Kwankwaso and his controlling mate, Bishop Isaac Idahosa, secured fourth place with nearly 1.5 million votes.[97][98] Prior to the general election, Kwankwaso was twofold of the candidates invited to the Royal Institute of Universal Affairs, Chatham House, UK, to discuss his vision for Nigeria.[93]