The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fired back at former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, labeling him a “failed and insignificant politician” after he declared that the PDP is no longer relevant in Nigeria.
Kwankwaso, who ran as the presidential candidate for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections, made the controversial statement during the inauguration of a newly renovated NNPP office in Katsina State on Saturday.
He claimed that the PDP had lost its significance because he and his supporters had left the party. “I wish to remind you that PDP is dead because we left the party. Since they have gone out of the line, we decided to check out,” Kwankwaso said.
In a swift response, the PDP issued a statement on Sunday, dismissing Kwankwaso’s comments and criticizing his political influence. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described Kwankwaso as an “inconsequential” figure in Nigerian politics.
“Our reaction to the statement credited to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso is that he is very inconsequential in the Nigerian national politics today judging from the fact that he is struggling to lead a party called NNPP which is also struggling to control only one state,” Ologunagba said.
The PDP also pointed out that despite Kwankwaso’s claims, the party remains a formidable force in Nigeria, boasting 13 governors, numerous senators, and a strong presence across the country. The statement further criticized Kwankwaso for what it called his “selfishness and self-centeredness,” suggesting that these traits disqualify him from being a true leader.
“It is unfathomable to imagine that a failed and inconsequential politician with only one state would claim that a party that has 13 governors, many Senators, many members of the House of Representatives, several States Assembly control and strong presence in all the local government areas and wards across the country is dead,” the statement read.
The PDP also accused Kwankwaso of insensitivity, particularly at a time when many Nigerians are facing severe economic hardship. The party noted that Kwankwaso’s achievements were made possible through the PDP platform and questioned his priorities during a time of national crisis.
“It is unfortunate that at this time when the PDP and patriotic Nigerians are speaking out against the excruciating hardship in the country occasioned by the anti-people policies of the APC administration, the only thing that occupies Senator Kwankwaso’s mind is his self-centred pipe dream of becoming President. It is very unfortunate,” the PDP stated.
The statement concluded by reiterating that the PDP does not intend to engage further with Kwankwaso on what it considers his “self-centeredness and insensitivity,” emphasizing that any political relevance he may have had was due to his time in the PDP.
This exchange marks another chapter in the ongoing political rivalry between the PDP and NNPP, with both parties positioning themselves for influence ahead of future elections.