Former Kano State governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has disclosed that one of his daughters advised him to work with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during the 2023 general election.
Kwankwaso made the revelation on Monday while speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme.
According to him, many political leaders in Nigeria have failed to understand the changing mindset and priorities of younger Nigerians, particularly in the era of social media and digital communication.
The former governor stated that younger Nigerians are increasingly focused on competent leadership rather than the issues of religion and ethnicity that often dominate political conversations among older politicians.
Kwankwaso explained that even within his household, younger family members expressed opinions that reflected the growing demand for political cooperation and effective leadership ahead of the 2023 election.
“So many things have changed in this country. You have leaders, many of whom don’t even realize what is happening on social media. We have leaders who hardly have any contact with young men and women,” he said.
He noted that younger Nigerians make up a significant percentage of the country’s population and possess a different perspective on politics and governance.
“People of our age, my age, or especially the age of Atiku, are very few in this country compared to the younger people. The younger people have their own way of thinking, even our children,” he added.
Kwankwaso further revealed that his daughter personally encouraged him to collaborate politically with Peter Obi during the election period.
“You will be surprised, even during the 2023 election, in my own house, my own daughter was telling me to go and work with Peter Obi. She didn’t say she was obedient, but she wanted me to work together with him, and vice versa,” he said.
According to him, the position taken by many young Nigerians demonstrates that they are more interested in credible leadership capable of solving the country’s problems than divisive politics.
“People are talking about religion. People are talking about ethnicity. People are talking, especially those at our level and age, but the younger people are looking for the right leadership for this country. And I think they are absolutely right,” he added.
