Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, has rebuked statements made by the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, regarding the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
During a recent political gathering in Kano, Kwankwaso expressed his belief that Nigerians, particularly in the North, are ready to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming elections.
However, Doguwa dismissed the remarks as mere “hallucinations,” suggesting that Kwankwaso is struggling to come to terms with his defeat in the 2023 presidential election, in which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged victorious.
“Kwankwaso is clearly hallucinating when he says Nigerians are tired of the APC and will change it in 2027. Since taking office, President Tinubu has been laying a solid foundation for Nigeria’s prosperity,” Doguwa stated.
He highlighted the steps taken by the Tinubu administration to restore economic stability, emphasizing the attraction of over $30 billion in foreign direct investments within just 16 months.
Doguwa detailed the government’s fiscal accomplishments, noting that it has successfully settled a $7 billion forex backlog and addressed over N30 trillion in inherited debt.
He said, “President Tinubu reduced the debt service ratio from 97% to 68% and maintained our foreign reserves at $37 billion.”
In addition to economic measures, Doguwa praised the administration’s initiatives in enhancing national security, claiming significant successes in combating terrorism and banditry.
He noted that over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders, including notorious figures like Kachalla Halilu Sububu, have been eliminated, contributing to increased safety in the North West region.
He said the improvement has encouraged farmers to return to their fields, leading to expectations of a bumper harvest.
Moreover, Doguwa questioned Kwankwaso’s influence in Kano, accusing him of exerting control over the NNPP-led government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
He stated, “The NNPP has pauperized the people of Kano, leading to mass defections to the APC.
“No matter the noise Kwankwaso makes, the APC in Kano is already poised to unseat the kangaroo NNPP government in 2027.”
Concluding his remarks, Doguwa advised Kwankwaso to focus on his political retirement instead of making unfounded claims about the future of the APC.
Meanwhile, Kwankwaso has indicated that he may consider running alongside Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, in the 2027 elections.
This development has generated significant interest following Kwankwaso’s statements in a video clip that went viral on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Speaking in Hausa, Kwankwaso hinted that he might be open to taking the deputy role in a potential alliance with Obi, but emphasized that certain conditions would need to be met before any such arrangement could materialize.
