The National Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said he has no “price tag” and cannot be bought in politics.
Kwankwaso said this in a direct message to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), this while commenting on recent political developments, loyalty, betrayal, and the state of politics in Kano.
The APC has reportedly been lobbying him to defect with his structure in the state to the party. His mentee and incumbent governor, Abba Yusuf, is said to be on the verge of dumping the NNPP for the APC.
The former governor of the state said politics involved gains and losses but warned that betrayal often provoked public resentment, especially amid widespread dissatisfaction with governance.
“Life is like that; one loses, another gets. Of course, he entered a system that has no exit point,” he was quoted by Daily Trust as saying.
“First, we know that betrayal is not good. Everybody knows how that party is losing the sympathy of the people, especially with regards to insecurity and the economy.”
Kwankwaso said Kano politics is different from elsewhere, noting that voters in the state are politically conscious and not easily swayed by inducements.
“Kano politics in Nigeria is different. If not in Kano, where is it that one will meet you with a money bag and go into a meeting with you that they will give you things?” he asked.
He dismissed the notion that all politicians could be bought, saying, “people used to say in Nigeria that everyone has a price tag. If you are looking for who has no price tag, come to Rabiu Kwankwaso.”
The NNPP leader said if money were his priority, he could easily put a value on himself, stressing that no one could buy his conscience.
He warned politicians and voters against short-term inducements during elections.
“You will spend four years suffering, and one day they will come and give you peanuts, and then you spend another four years,” Kwankwaso said.
He urged political actors to uphold principles and prioritise long-term public interest, warning that leadership founded on inducement and betrayal could not deliver meaningful development.
