Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate for the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), has denied rumors that he could withdraw from the race to make way for Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the general election of 2023.

In order to advance the nation, Kwankwaso, who was a guest at the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) event yesterday in Lagos, pledged to renegotiate the massive debt of the nation. He attributed Nigeria’s problems to the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has been in power since the Fourth Republic’s founding in 1999, and the main opposition PDP.

If elected president the next year, the former governor of Kano State pledged to rebuild the nation, supporting the rising call for such fundamental reform.

NGE, however, maintained its counsel to lawmakers to run their campaigns on ideas rather than individuals.

When asked why he left the party, Kwankwaso responded, “Some people are suggesting that I’m standing down for Atiku. The issues are as follows. The issue with that party is that so many attendees think they are extremely affluent. People are allowed to support any political party in a democracy.

“You can’t just dictate that the presidential candidate I favor will run for office or that the candidate I don’t like will.”

These days, people are spreading rumors that I may resign or withdraw in their behalf. What made them let me leave? Was it still a problem at the party or what transpired at the time? It was emphasized by Kwankwaso that his long political career had taught him how to manage public resources, giving him an advantage over other candidates, and that his ideology and experience were distinct from those of his opponent.

The former governor spoke on the recently privatized Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, saying, “Of course, we are glad that it’s now a law to make sure that the NNPC is carried forward and we are extremely committed to involving the private sector in this country. We will support the legislation and take all necessary steps to ensure that the oil and gas sector improves for the benefit of each and every one of us.

If elected, he promised, his administration would be responsive to public desires, particularly those relating to a review of the constitution. “Now, on the issue of constitution, as I said earlier, we are open to discussion every single day to listen to you and if Nigerians require a review, we will consider it,” he said.

“But the reality remains that from my own experience in the last two decades; the problem has not been the constitution, but rather the operators, and we feel by 2023 we will have the appropriate people to handle the constitution,” Kwankwaso continued.

He explained that the ideological and political differences between the opposition and the ruling party were what prompted him to seek his presidential aspiration in a different party.

“I think you already know that they are not serving the interests of the majority of Nigerians, but just emphasize what I said,” Kwankwaso remarked. You know, the mishandling of Nigeria’s resources dates back around 24 years, to the PDP and APC together.”

Kwankwaso said in response to a question about Nigeria’s debt load and how he planned to pay for his platform, “We have to sit down in discussions and whatever it is, we have to have fresh air so that we can even pay them. These are the actions I think are required to take in order to address the debt problems. Kwankwaso also discussed insecurity and how he planned to address the problem, which he acknowledged had hampered the nation’s economic growth. He claimed that more staff were required to control the situation.

He claimed, “We will make more societal and political contributions through services for the economy and ensure the deployment of significant resources to hire additional security people. To cope with the security challenges, we will thus employ a million police and a million military personnel.”

“There are numerous villages and towns where residents have been driven from their homes, many have lost their means of support, and some are now residing in IDP camps. Since they are located in areas that contractors cannot access, the economy and infrastructure are particularly affected by the issue of insecurity. As a result, there are several abandoned projects and absent farmers. No progress will be made in Nigeria unless the insecurity issue is resolved.

He observed that his interaction with wrong people in PDP led him to cross to another party, saying, “And, fortunately, since that time, in my opinion, the leadership has been coming down, except probably the government of Obasanjo, whom I believe has done so much to make sure that all this issue of insecurity and, being a minister of defence, I know his position; what was being done to bring sanity and peace to Nigeria and to the economy.

“It was only at that time there was cancellation of payment of debts in this country. Now, debt is coming into Nigeria on daily basis. In 1999, we had no problem forming the party, PDP; it was when we started that we realised that we were together with some wrong people, we sought change and we came to APC.“At that time, we were happy that we were going to bring some positive changes but unfortunately, as time went on, some of us, who have worked hard were declared as people who should not be close to the government.”

Kwankwaso said his party remained the best alternative for Nigerians at the forthcoming elections, saying;

“The issue is, do they have the right calibre of people to run a good government and we are so happy that we are outside now doing the right thing for the country. So, I believe leadership is very key to the country.

“I am one of those, who support the 13 per cent derivation and we will ensure it is increased adequately. On the issue of restructuring, our position in the party has been very clear. We believe that there are things that must be done as soon as possible once we have the opportunity.”

The event, according to NGE President Mr. Mustapha Isah, was created to give candidates a chance to speak with editors about their plans and programs in advance of the elections. Isah stated that the editors would also utilize the platform to inquire about various matters and raise pointed concerns about broader societal issues.

“Senator Kwankwaso, Nigerian youths are agitated,” the NGE president said. They are rightfully resentful, and if you are elected president of this wonderful nation, they want to hear what plans you have for them. We invite you to discuss your intentions for them in this forum. The Nigerian Guild of Editors begs politicians to refrain from personal assaults. Instead, they should concentrate on the genuine problems.

“Let me use this opportunity to urge the presidential candidates to call their spokespersons to order. Some of their press statements and interviews are heating up the polity. Maybe, they should be made to sign a peace accord as well, just as the presidential candidates did in Abuja recently.

“We noticed that the candidates themselves hardly attack one another. They exchange pleasantries whenever and wherever they meet. This is maturity. Their spokespersons should learn from them. To my colleagues, you are not bound to use any toxic press statement sent to you.”