2019: Kwankwaso drops hint he may soon move to PDP

It is now more apparent that the All Progressives Congress (APC) may in days or weeks to come lose one of its chieftains, former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The immediate past governor of Kano State and currently a senator, at the weekend in an interview with Dele Momodu, declared that he is the only candidate able to defeat President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, adding that he was “a free man now” and available to try his luck elsewhere.

Kwankwaso hinting of his defecting to his former party, the PDP said, “I know that PDP is the biggest party and as long as they follow democratic principle, Buhari will easily be defeated, but if they handpick and force any candidate on the party, they will fail.

“PDP needs someone from the 3k states, Kano, Katsina and Kaduna to win the next election. That’s where the votes are. It would be difficult to win if they pick someone from any other zone…”

When asked if he feels he is the only candidate who can beat Buhari in a popularity contest by his interviewer, Kwankwaso who came second behind Buhari at the APC presidential primary for 2015 elections said “of course, yes.”

Kwankwaso also boasted of how he gave APC the structure that produced the colossal result which helped Buhari emerge President, saying that he still holds the magic wand.

According to the senator, it will be impossible for Buhari to repeat the impressive showing he had in Kano in 2015 when he is fighting him and his predecessor, Kano State former governor Ibrahim Shekarau.

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“I can guarantee them (PDP) that I will beat Buhari if given the chance,” he said.

Earlier in the interaction, Kwankwaso responding to a question on why he boycotted the recent APC national convention in Abuja, said that it was obvious some people did not want to see his face there and he too did not dignify them with his presence.

“A man who respects himself should never force himself on anyone,” he added.

If Kwankwaso officially defects to PDP and declares his presidential ambition, he will be battling the party ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former national chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido among others.

 

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