Mohammed A. Musa

Mohammed Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE FNIQS (born 21 October 1956) is a Nigerian politician who served as governor of Kano state from 1999 to 2003 and from 2011 to 2015. After losing his re-election in 2003, he was appointed the first Minister of Defence of the Fourth Republic with no prior military background, from 2003 to 2007, under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo. He was later elected to the Senate in 2015, serving one term under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Kano Central Senatorial District. He currently serves as the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party and holds a strong opposition bloc in Kano and many parts of Nigeria. Kwankwaso enjoys widespread support in Kano and north-western Nigeria; he has been viewed as a charismatic populist. In 2011, he was re-elected governor of the state and went on to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014. In 2015, Kwankwaso unsuccessfully contested the presidential primaries nomination under the opposition of the All Progressives Congress but lost to Muhammadu Buhari. In 2018, he returned to Peoples Democratic Party and contested the presidential primaries, losing to Atiku Abubakar. In 2023, Kwankwaso unsuccessfully ran for President of Nigeria under the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, receiving 6.23% of the vote.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was born on 21 October 1956 in Kano, to a Muslim family. His father held the position of the village head of Kwankwaso with the title of Sarkin Fulanin Kwankwaso before being elevated to the position of the District Head of Madobi with the title of Majidadin Kano, Hakimin Madobi by the Kano Emirate Council under the leadership of the 13th Fulani Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero CFR, LLD, JP. He attended Kwankwaso Primary School, Gwarzo Boarding Senior Primary School, Wudil Craft School and Kano Technical College before proceeding to Kaduna Polytechnic where he did both his National Diploma and Higher National Diploma. Kwankwaso was an active student leader during his school days and was an elected official of the Kano State Students Association. He also attended postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom from 1982 to 1983 at the Middlesex Polytechnic; and Loughborough University of Technology where he received a master's degree in civil engineering in 1985. He also earned a PhD in civil engineering from Sharda University, India, in 2022.

Kwankwaso joined the Kano State Water Resources and Engineering Construction Agency of the Government of Kano State in 1975. He served there for seventeen years in various capacities, rising through the ranks to become the principal water engineer. In 1992, he made his entry into politics on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He was a member of the People's Front faction of the SDP led by General Shehu Yar'adua and other prominent politicians. In 1992, he was elected as a member of the House of Representatives representing Madobi Federal Constituency. His subsequent election as deputy speaker brought him to the national spotlight. During the 1995 Constitutional Conference, Kwankwaso was elected as one of the delegates from Kano, as a member of the People's Democratic Movement led by Yar'adua. He later joined the Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN) during the political transition program of General Sani Abacha. Kwankwaso joined the PDP in 1998 under the People's Democratic Movement in Kano led by Mallam Musa Gwadabe, Senator Hamisu Musa, and Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila.

In 1999, Kwankwaso contested the PDP primaries alongside Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Mukthari Zimit, and Ambassador Kabiru Rabiu Dansista. The Santsi/P.S.P. supported Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, but the party electoral committee declared Rabiu Kwankwaso the winner. He was elected for his first term as governor of Kano State from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2003. His first tenure was notable for his efforts to support Yoruba President Olusegun Obasanjo. In 2003, he lost re-election to Ibrahim Shekarau. In 2011, he was re-elected for a second term as governor of Kano State from 29 May 2011 to 29 May 2015. During this time, he restructured his political movement called Kwankwassiya, focusing on building roads, hospitals, schools, and sending residents to study abroad.

In August 2013, Kwankwaso was part of the G-7 faction within the Peoples Democratic Party. In November 2013, he and five other members of the G-7 defected to the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). In June 2014, Kwankwaso had a disagreement with Emir Ado Bayero over the appointment of a Waziri (Vizier) for the Kano Emirate Council. On 6 June 2014, Ado Bayero died, leading to a succession crisis. On 8 June 2014, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi suspended the Central Bank governor, and Dan Majen Kano emerged as the new Emir of Kano. Kwankwaso’s supporters protested against Sanusi Ado Bayero’s son, Chiroman Kano, and Kwankwaso was accused of supporting Sanusi due to his 2015 presidential election involvement. In October 2014, Kwankwaso contested the APC presidential primaries in Lagos, coming second behind Muhammadu Buhari.

From 2003 to 2007, Kwankwaso served as Minister of Defence under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s second cabinet, replacing Theophilus Danjuma. In 2007, he resigned his ministerial position to contest the Kano State governorship election but lost due to an indictment by a Government White Paper. After losing the bid, he was appointed as the Special Envoy to Somalia and Darfur by President Olusegun Obasanjo, and later as a Board Member of the Niger Delta Development Commission, resigning in 2010. Kwankwaso represented Kano Central Senatorial District in the Senate of Nigeria from May 2015 to May 2019. In July 2018, he and fourteen other APC senators defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In October 2018, he contested the PDP presidential primaries, coming fourth behind Atiku Abubakar, Aminu Tambuwal, Bukola Saraki, and himself.

In 2022, Kwankwaso abandoned the PDP and joined the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). He contested and won the presidential primary election held in Abuja that year. During the 2023 Nigeria presidential election, Kwankwaso and his running mate, Bishop Isaac Idahosa, secured fourth place with nearly 1.5 million votes. Prior to the election, Kwankwaso was invited to discuss his vision for Nigeria at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, UK. His time in office as governor of Kano State was characterized by notable achievements, including establishing Kano University of Science and Technology in Wudil and North West University, Kano. He also established 26 academic and manpower development training institutes, training over 360,000 youth and women.

Kwankwaso introduced free school feeding and uniforms for primary school pupils, exponentially increasing school enrolment figures from 1 million in 2011 to over 3 million by 2015. He established 230 secondary schools, including 47 technical colleges, 44 schools of Islamic studies, a Chinese college, a French college, and the first boarding girls’ college in Kano. He awarded over 2,600 scholarships to students locally and abroad. During his tenure, he constructed three flyover bridges, 5 km of dual-carriage lighted roads in each of the 44 Local Government Areas, and covered drainages with interlocking tiles, including the Jakara River. He built numerous houses and estates, including three modern cities: Kwankwasiyya, Amana, and Bandirawo, with about 3,000 housing units.

Kwankwaso launched the Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation (KDF) after leaving office to support education and alleviate poverty. Through KDF, he provided scholarships for 370 overseas students who returned to Nigeria in 2021. He also released 170 inmates by paying their fines and providing transport. The foundation donated sports kits and cash to amateur football clubs and supported the poor, including widows, people with disabilities, and orphans. On his 64th birthday in 2020, he inaugurated a solar-powered school in Rano Local Government, Kano, with a capacity of 300 pupils.

In 2004, a commission of inquiry headed by Justice Ahmed Badamasi investigated Kwankwaso’s activities, and the government issued a white paper indicting him in November 2004. In 2015, a petition by Concerned Kano State Workers and Pensioners alleged that Kwankwaso had misappropriated N10 billion from pension funds. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) initially restrained him but later allowed an investigation. Kwankwaso denied corruption allegations, calling them politically motivated. In 2021, the EFCC invited him for questioning on the pension fund allegations, but he voluntarily turned himself in. Kwankwaso has never been convicted or arrested for corruption.

Kwankwaso has been described as socially conservative and economically left-leaning, inspired by Aminu Kano, a prominent 20th-century socialist politician from Kano. His party, however, is more focused on regional and pragmatic considerations. Despite political controversies, Kwankwaso has maintained a strong regional following and has been involved in politics for over 30 years without facing corruption charges. His vision for Nigeria includes promoting literacy, alleviating poverty, and supporting education and infrastructure development.

Mohammed Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, born on 21 October 1956 in Madobi, State of origin: Gombe, is a Nigerian politician with a long political career. He has served as governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence, and Senator. His political journey includes multiple party switches, including the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Kwankwaso is known for his populist leadership style and extensive achievements in Kano State, including education, infrastructure, and social welfare programs.

Kwankwaso’s political career has been marked by both achievements and controversies. His tenure as governor of Kano State saw significant development projects, including the establishment of universities, training institutes, and improved infrastructure. However, allegations of corruption, particularly regarding pension fund misappropriation, have persisted. Despite these controversies, Kwankwaso has maintained a strong base of supporters in Kano and the North-Western region of Nigeria. His leadership style and commitment to education and development remain central to his political identity.

Mohammed Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso is a prominent Nigerian politician with a background in civil engineering and extensive political experience. Born on 21 October 1956 in Madobi, Gombe State, he has served in various capacities, including governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence, and Senator. Kwankwaso’s political journey has been characterized by multiple party affiliations and a focus on regional politics. His achievements in Kano State include significant educational and infrastructural developments, which have earned him widespread support in the region.

Kwankwaso’s political career spans over four decades, marked by a series of transitions and challenges. His early political involvement began in the 1990s with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and later transitioned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His tenure as governor of Kano State from 1999 to 2003 and again from 2011 to 2015 was notable for his commitment to education and infrastructure development. Kwankwaso’s leadership has been both celebrated for its achievements and criticized for alleged misappropriations of funds.

Kwankwaso’s political career has been shaped by his dedication to public service and his commitment to improving the lives of people in Kano and across Nigeria. His background in civil engineering and his experience in government have provided him with a unique perspective on policy and development. Kwankwaso’s political journey reflects the complexities of Nigerian politics, where personal ambition, regional interests, and ideological differences often intersect.

Mohammed Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso is a Nigerian politician with a rich history in public service. Born on 21 October 1956 in Madobi, Gombe State, he has been a prominent figure in Nigerian politics for over four decades. His career includes stints as governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence, and Senator. Kwankwaso is known for his populist approach and his significant contributions to education and infrastructure in Kano State.

Kwankwaso’s political career is a testament to his resilience and dedication to public service. His early years in politics began with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he gained prominence as a member of the House of Representatives. His subsequent roles as governor of Kano State and Minister of Defence have solidified his reputation as a key player in Nigerian politics. Despite controversies surrounding allegations of corruption, Kwankwaso remains a respected figure in Kano and the North-Western region.

Born on 21 October 1956 in Madobi, Gombe, Mohammed Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso is a Nigerian politician with a distinguished career in public service. His political journey includes multiple roles such as governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence, and Senator. Kwankwaso’s leadership has been characterized by a focus on education, infrastructure, and social welfare, making him a notable figure in Nigerian politics.

Kwankwaso’s political career is marked by his commitment to serving the people of Kano and Nigeria. His background in civil engineering and his extensive experience in government have equipped him with the skills to address various challenges facing the nation. His achievements in education and infrastructure development have had a lasting impact on Kano State.

Mohammed Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso is a Nigerian politician with a long and varied political career. Born on 21 October 1956 in Madobi, Gombe State, he has held significant positions including governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence, and Senator. Kwankwaso’s political journey has been defined by his efforts to improve education and infrastructure in Kano State, making him a prominent figure in Nigerian politics.