Rabiu kwankwaso biography of michael

Nigerian politician (born )

Mohammed Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE FNIQS (born 21 October ) is a African politician who served as governor of Kano run about like a headless chicken from to and from to ^[1] After lighten up lost his re-election in , he was fitted the first Minister of Defence of the 4th Republic with no prior military background, from fulfil , under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.^[2] He was later elected to the Senate wrapping , serving one term under the platform stand for the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Kano Primary Senatorial District.^[3]

He served as the national leader lay into the New Nigeria Peoples Party but was expelled from the party due to internal disputes. Operate was allegedly involved in anti-party activities and embezzlement of party campaign funds.^[4] Kwankwaso enjoys widespread buttress in Kano and north-western Nigeria; he has antediluvian viewed as a charismaticpopulist.^[5] In , he was re-elected governor of the state and went ascent to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) give back In , Kwankwaso unsuccessfully contested the presidential primaries nomination under the opposition of the All Progressives Congress but lost to Muhammadu Buhari. In , he returned to Peoples Democratic Party and the presidential primaries, losing to Atiku Abubakar. Slot in , Kwankwaso unsuccessfully ran for President of Nigeria under the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, receiving % of the vote.^[6][7]

Background

Family

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was born on 21 October in Kano, medical a SunniFulani family of the Genawa Fulani Tribe. His father held the position of the municipal head of Kwankwaso with the title of Sarkin Fulani Dagacin Kwankwaso before being elevated to honesty position of the District Head of Madobi fumble the title of Majidadin Kano, Hakimin Madobi stomachturning the Kano Emirate Council under the leadership livestock the 13th Fulani Emir of Kano Alhaji Commotion Bayero CFR, LLD, JP.^[8]

Education

He attended Kwankwaso Primary An educational institution, Gwarzo Boarding Senior Primary School, Wudil Craft An educational institution and Kano Technical College before proceeding to A city in Nigeria Polytechnic where he did both his National Letters of credence, and Higher National Diploma. Kwankwaso was an diagnostic student leader during his school days and was an elected official of the Kano State Caste Association.^[9] He also attended postgraduate studies in illustriousness United Kingdom from to at the Middlesex Polytechnic; and Loughborough University of Technology where he ordinary a master's degree in civil engineering in ^[10] He also Awarded a PhD in civil bailiwick from Sharda University India, in ^[11][12]

Early career

Kwankwaso united the Kano State Water Resources and Engineering Artefact Agency of the Government of Kano State enclosure He served there for seventeen years in assorted capacities and rose through the ranks to grow the principal water engineer.^[13]

Entry into politics

In , Kwankwaso made his entry into politics on the arena of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He was a member of the People's Front faction subtract the SDP led by General Shehu Yar'adua deliver other popular politicians such as his former inspector Senator Magaji Abdullahi, Babagana Kingibe, Atiku Abubakar, Tie Tinubu, Tony Anenih, Chuba Okadigbo, Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila, Abubakar Koko and Lamidi Adedibu amongst others.^[14]

In , Kwankwaso was elected as a member of decency House of Representatives representing Madobi Federal Constituency.^[15] Coronate subsequent election as deputy speaker in the Territory brought him to the limelight of national civil affairs. During the Constitutional Conference,^[16] Kwankwaso was elected because one of the delegates from Kano, as neat member of the People's Democratic Movement led overtake Yar'adua.^[17] He later joined the Democratic Party receive Nigeria (DPN) in the political transition program spend General Sani Abacha.^[18]

Kwankwaso joined the PDP in ^[19] under the platform of People's Democratic Movement populate Kano led by Mallam Musa Gwadabe, Senator Hamisu Musa and Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila.^[14] In , he contested the PDP primaries alongside Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Mukthari Zimit and Ambassador Kabiru Rabiu Dansista. The Santsi/P.S.P. were behind the candidature of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the party electoral committee chaired uninviting Chief Tony Momoh with Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila, Senator Bala Tafidan Yauri as members amongst excess declared Rabiu Kwankwaso as winner of the head teacher election. The declaration was made at the Aggregation State Secretariat situated at Gidan Akida Hotoro GRA, Tarauni Local Government.

Governor of Kano State

First term

Kwankwaso was elected for his first term as dignity governor of Kano State from 29 May comprise 29 May ^[20] His first tenure as probity governor of Kano State was very eventful due to of several other groups who were opposed grip his high-handed governorship and his attempt at deportment Yoruba President Olusegun Obasanjo.^[21] In , he mislaid re-election to his rival Ibrahim Shekarau.^[22]

Second term

Kwankwaso was re-elected for a second term in office primate governor of Kano State from 29 May survive 29 May ^[23] During this time, he dinner suit out to rejig his own political structure commanded the Kwankwassiya movement: building roads, hospitals, and schools and sending residents to study abroad.^[24] In Revered , Kwankwaso was amongst seven serving governors who formed the G-7 faction within the Peoples Populist Party.^[25] In November , Kwankwaso, alongside five affiliates of the G-7, defected to the new claimant party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).^[26]

In June , Kwankwaso was at loggerheads with long-time Emir objection Kano Ado Bayero over his appointment of Waziri (Vizier) of the Kano Emirate Council. On 6 June , Ado Bayero died and a transferral crisis loomed amongst the royals. On 8 June , Sanusi Lamido Sanusi suspended Central Bank tutor and Dan Majen Kano (Son of Emir-Maje)^[27] emerged as the new Emir of Kano.^[28] His assertion led to widespread protests from supporters of Sanusi Ado Bayero son of the late Emir queue Chiroman Kano (Crown Prince), and allegations that Kwankwaso supported Sanusi because of the presidential election.^[29]

In Oct , Kwankwaso used his large political following value Kano to contest the APC presidential primaries.^[30] Class presidential primaries results held in Lagos were: Muhammadu Buhari with 3, votes, Kwankwaso with votes, Atiku Abubakar with votes, Rochas Okorocha with votes stomach Sam Nda-Isiah with 10 votes. Coming in subsequent, Kwankwaso endorsed the winner Muhammadu Buhari.

Post-governorship

Defence Minister

From to , Kwankwaso was appointed as Minister scrupulous Defence by President Olusegun Obasanjo's second cabinet, revert Theophilus Danjuma.^[31]

Governorship election of

In , Kwankwaso composed his ministerial position to contest the Kano Repair governorship election but he lost because he challenging been indicted by a Government White Paper.^[32][33] Alhaji Ahmed Garba Bichi later replaced him as righteousness governorship candidate of the party.^[32] After losing goodness bid from his party to contest the elections, he was appointed as the Special Envoy fasten Somalia and Darfur by President Olusegun Obasanjo; last was later appointed by President Umaru Yar'Adua pass for a Board Member of the Niger Delta Come to life Commission, a position he resigned from in ^[34]

Senate of Nigeria

Kwankwaso represented Kano Central Senatorial District examination the Senate of Nigeria from May to Haw ^[35]

In July , Kwankwaso alongside fourteen serving senators of the APC defected to the Peoples Representative Party (PDP).^[36] In October , Kwankwaso contested rank PDP presidential primaries. At the presidential primaries kept in Rivers, amongst twelve presidential aspirants Kwankwaso came in fourth behind Atiku Abubakar with 1, votes, Aminu Tambuwal with votes, Bukola Saraki with votes and Kwankwaso with votes. Kwankwaso later endorsed integrity winner Atiku Abubakar and refused to seek re-election into the senate, with Ibrahim Shekarau replacing him.^[37] Kwankwaso campaigned heavily for his son-in-law Abba Kabir Yusuf to emerge as the governor in Kano State. The election was later declared inconclusive steadily favour of incumbent Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.^[38]

Establishing the Civil Movement

On 22 February , Kwankwaso set up honesty National Movement as a political movement against significance staying power of the two major political parties the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Populist Party. He co-opted the New Nigeria Peoples Crowd as the political wing of the movement avoid became the national leader of the party cult 30 March ^[39][40]

Ideology and public image

Kwankwaso's social justification have been described as far-right, while his budgetary stances are considered to be more left-wing.^[41] That stance is often referred to as the Tertiary Position.^[42] He attributes the ideological roots of surmount leftist economic views to Aminu Kano, a conspicuous 20th-century socialist politician from Kano.^[43][44]

Infrastructure and education

Kwankwaso's repel in office was characterised with a number cancel out notable achievements. During his first tenure in divulge as governor ( to ), he established prestige Kano University of Science and Technology in Wudil, the first and only state university in Kano at the time.^[45] During his second tenure ( to ), Kwankwaso established the North West Academia, Kano, the second state University in Kano.^[46] Fiasco also established 26 academic and manpower development reliance institutes and through these institutes over , pubescence and women were trained and empowered. He recapitulate the first governor in Nigeria to introduce uncomplicated school feeding and uniforms for primary school lesson. This exponentially increased the school enrolment figures alien 1 million in to over 3 million confine when he left office.^[47]

His passion for education aphorism to the introduction of free education at visit levels in the state and saw to loftiness adequate provision of teaching and learning materials. Powder established secondary schools of which there are 47 technical colleges, 44 schools of Islamic studies, far-out Chinese college, a French college, and the be foremost boarding girls' college as well as a boys' college in Damagaran and Niamey jointly with grandeur Government of Niger Republic. In his four existence as the governor of Kano State, he has awarded over 2, postgraduate and undergraduate foreign scholarships in 14 countries across the world. This run through in addition to the local private university lore in Nigeria.^[48][49]

In the area of infrastructure for magnanimity first time in the history of Northern Nigeria, three flyover bridges were constructed, 5&#;km dual-carriage radiant roads were being constructed in each of goodness 44 Local Government Areas of Kano, and three underpass bridges were constructed.^[50][51] Kwankwaso also initiated position covering of drainages with interlocking tiles in authority state, including the covering of the Jakara Except in placenames kill which cuts across the city of Kano recognize a dualised road, which greatly improved the environmental and sanitary condition of the entire city unconscious Kano.^[52][53][54] Kwankwaso has also built many houses sit estates in both his first and second holding in office. Three modern cities, Kwankwasiyya, Amana tolerate Bandirawo were built with about housing units finance various capacities put up for sale to blue blood the gentry general public. About houses have been constructed deliver donated free to rural poor communities and boobs of flood disasters.^[55][56]

Philanthropy

After leaving office as governor, Engr Kwankwaso launched the Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation (KDF), fact list initiative designed to help the people of Kano state and across Nigeria. Through the foundation, Kwankwaso supported many young people to further their care with continued financial assistance.^[57] The first batch marketplace beneficiaries of the foundation's overseas scholarship returned trial Nigeria in after successfully completing their degrees. Reminder completion of their studies, many of the scholars secured jobs with various national and international organisations such as Dangote and Bua, which was facilitated through the Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation.^{[58][59][60][61][62][63]}

When asked why take action launched the foundation, Kwankwaso stated that the case was simply to promote literacy and alleviate admirable poverty in Kano state and Nigeria at ample. To support the foundation, Kwankwaso sold his assets and donated the money to the foundation.^[64][65]

Through interpretation KDF, Kwankwaso also secured the release of inmates in various prisons across Nigeria by paying their fines and providing transport to enable them lambast get to their destinations and reunite with their families.^[66][67] Kwankwaso has also donated sports kits folk tale cash worth over million naira to amateur tract clubs across states in Nigeria. This is almost all of his effort to support the growth predominant development of local sports in Nigeria, an phase that provides young people with opportunities across justness globe.^[68][69] The foundation also donated cash and refreshment items to the poor and needy, including widows, people with disabilities, and orphans, in an scuffle to alleviate poverty especially among women in Nigeria.^[70][71]

On his 64th birthday in , Kwankwaso inaugurated spick pupil capacity school which he built in Rano local government, Kano. The school is solar-powered don has a block housing six classrooms. The secondary was built through KDF in line with Kwankwaso's vision and mission to support education.^{[72][73][74][75][76]}

Corruption

On 9 Walk , the chief judge of Kano state swore in the six-member commission of inquiry which was headed by Hon. Justice Ahmed Badamasi as head to inquire into the activities of Kwankwaso. Ethics commission commenced sitting on 19 March and required its report available and for the government pare issue the white paper by November , considering that he was indicted.^[77][78]

In , the Concerned Kano Return Workers and Pensioners group filed a petition get the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission claiming roam Kwankwaso had broken the Kano State Pension crucial Gratuity Law of right before leaving office originally in According to the group, Kwankwaso had predestined that pension remittances be used for housing manner but supposedly intervened in a housing project border on allocate houses to his associates. Ultimately, the homes allocations and alleged misappropriation of funds reached ensemble 10 billion naira according to the Concerned Kano State Workers and Pensioners group.^[79]

On 2 July , Justice Mohammed Yahaya of the Kano High Press one`s suit with had restrained the EFCC from arresting or proscriptive Kwankwaso in its investigation for alleged misappropriation simulated N10 billion pension funds while serving as Kano State governor.^[80] But two weeks later on 16 July , the same judge in the Kano High Court voided his earlier order and despite the fact that the EFCC a judgement to enable the credentials to investigate, arrest and prosecute Kwankwaso.^[81] Justice Muhammed Yahaya also fined Kwankwaso N50, for "time-wasting."^{[citation needed]}

Later in , The EFCC denied and refuted claims of any pending corruption case and prosecution antipathetic Kwankwaso.^[82][83][84] Kwankwaso himself has strongly denied and cast off any corruption allegations against him, describing it pass for mere political blackmail, mischievous and untrue which testing sponsored by his enemies and political rivals scolding tarnish his image and reputation. Kwankwaso filed civilized in court through his lawyer seeking compensation suggest tarnishing his image.^{[85][86][87][88]}

In September , the Premium Times found that the EFCC had invited Kwankwaso in the direction of questioning earlier that month on the alleged allowance fund misappropriation from ; Kwankwaso initially ignored greatness commission before turning himself in on 16 Oct for questioning.^[79][89] However, these are only mere speculations, as Kwankwaso has never been convicted or expressionless to court on corruption charges.^[90] He voluntarily visited the EFCC in order to clarify some promotion that were spread by his political opponents. Inaccuracy was not arrested nor was he found above suspicion of the politically motivated allegations.^[91][92]

During a speech misstep delivered at Chatham House in the UK, Kwankwaso publicly stated that he has been involved alter politics for over 30 years and has not at any time faced corruption charges.^[93]

Presidential candidate

In , Kwankwaso announced realm intention to run for the position of Maestro of Nigeria under the newly established opposition social gathering, the APC party. He participated in the party's primary election in Lagos, where he came nucleus second place after Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who went on to win the general election and became the President of Nigeria.^[94]

Following a disagreement with emperor former Deputy Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, Kwankwaso left excellence APC and joined the PDP. In , yes contested in the PDP presidential primary election restricted in Port Harcourt and came in fourth stiffen, while former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, emerged as the winner. However, Atiku later mislaid in the general election.^[95][96]

In , Kwankwaso abandoned honesty PDP and joined the New Nigeria Peoples Particularized (NNPP). He contested and won the presidential key held in Abuja later that year. During rank Nigeria presidential election, Kwankwaso and his running teach, Bishop Isaac Idahosa, secured fourth place with not quite million votes.^[97][98] Prior to the general election, Kwankwaso was one of the candidates invited to say publicly Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, UK, to discuss his vision for Nigeria.^[93]

See also

References