Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has disclosed that his daughter encouraged him to collaborate with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during the build-up to the 2023 general elections in Nigeria. Kwankwaso made the revelation during an interview on ARISE News on Monday while discussing the changing political mindset among Nigerian youths and the growing influence of social media in shaping political decisions across the country. According to the former governor, the younger generation is gradually moving away from politics centered on ethnicity and religion. Instead, many young Nigerians are now paying more attention to competence, accountability, and leadership qualities when choosing political leaders. Speaking during the interview, Kwankwaso explained that the political opinions of younger citizens are becoming increasingly different from those of the older generation. He noted that many youths are now focused on leaders capable of solving the country’s economic and social problems rather than leaders who rely on ethnic or religious sentiments to gain support. “Even during the 2023 general election, in my own house, my daughter advised me to go and work with Peter Obi,” Kwankwaso stated. The former Kano State governor further emphasized that many political leaders in Nigeria have failed to properly engage with young people despite their growing population and influence in national politics. According to him, a significant number of politicians rarely interact with young men and women, making it difficult for them to fully understand the priorities and expectations of the younger generation. Kwankwaso stressed that the emergence of digital platforms and social media has transformed the country’s political environment. He explained that Nigerian youths are now more politically informed and are actively participating in conversations about governance, economic development, insecurity, and national unity. He added that younger voters are increasingly demanding transparent and credible leadership that can effectively tackle the country’s challenges. “Some people are talking about religion, while others are focused on ethnicity, but many young people are searching for the right leadership for this country, and I believe they are correct,” he added. Political observers believe the statement reflects the growing political awareness among Nigerian youths, especially after the 2023 elections, where young voters played a major role in political discussions both online and offline. The 2023 presidential election witnessed increased participation from young Nigerians who used social media platforms to campaign, share political opinions, and mobilize support for preferred candidates. Analysts say this trend may continue to shape future elections in the country. Experts have also pointed out that the increasing political consciousness among youths could influence how political parties select candidates and design campaign strategies ahead of future elections. For many Nigerians, the comments from Kwankwaso highlight the widening shift in political priorities among the younger generation, with more attention now being placed on governance, economic growth, security, job creation, and national development.
Soludo Reflects on His Political Journey into APGA Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the executive governor of Anambra State, has revealed that his decision to join the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2013 was not made lightly—it took him a full year of reflection and strategic planning. Soludo shared this personal insight in Awka, the Anambra State capital, during a significant political event where 15,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) formally defected to APGA. “APGA Was My Political Destination” – Soludo In his speech, Governor Soludo recalled his earlier political involvement with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he served as the party’s governorship candidate in the 2010 election. “I joined the PDP and contested in 2010. I worked closely with many of you back then. It took me another year to finally decide to align with APGA in 2013,” Soludo recounted. Although his initial entry into APGA didn’t come without hurdles—he was disqualified from running for governor under APGA—he remained persistent, believing that APGA was his final political home. “Even though I was disqualified as the APGA candidate, I stayed on because I knew this was my last bus stop,” he added. Soludo Now Leads the Party He Once Struggled to Join Fast forward to today, Soludo is not only the governor of Anambra but also the national leader of APGA. He emphasized that APGA, established in 2002, is more than just a political party in the state. “APGA is the first progressive political party in Nigeria. In Anambra, it is a movement where everyone is given equal opportunity. No one is left behind,” he proudly stated. New Members Encouraged to Solidify Their Commitment Governor Soludo advised the new APGA members to register at the ward level in order to complete their official party membership. He also encouraged them to join the party’s cooperative initiative, which is designed to economically empower members and foster inclusion. For more on APGA’s grassroots political efforts, check out this related article on how APGA promotes inclusivity (external link). APGA Leaders Praise Soludo’s Influence During the event, APGA State Chairman Mr. Ifeatu Obi-Okoye officially welcomed the defectors. He also applauded Governor Soludo’s visionary leadership, which has become a unifying force attracting supporters from other political backgrounds. Former PDP Members Join the Movement Speaking on behalf of the former PDP members, Mr. Chukwudi Umeaba, a former PDP state chairman, explained their decision to merge with APGA. “We have collapsed the PDP into APGA to support the developmental strides of Governor Soludo. We believe in his people-focused policies,” Umeaba affirmed. This mass defection is seen as a strong signal of APGA’s growing political influence in Anambra State, and a testament to Soludo’s credibility and grassroots appeal. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
