2023: Shocker awaits those who say Kwankwaso and I lack structure to win — Idahosa, NNPP VP candidate

 

Nigerians and those who ask these questions are about to receive a shocker. Strategy is stronger than strength. If you limit Kwankwasiya Movement to Kano, it is to your peril. It is a whirlwind.

In an attempt to stop a flood, you create more ways for it. We have made inroads into different states. NNPP has been there for over 20 years, but we stepped in and rejigged it. Today, we have structures across the country. Within a few months, we have been able to synergise with different states and stakeholders.

There are things I wouldn’t be able to say here. Let’s wait for a shocker, but we shouldn’t be judged by their assumptions. We are working day and night to ensure that we are in Aso Rock on May 29, 2023.

What is your definition of how governance should be in Nigeria?

Governance has to do with improving lives. And if lives do not improve under any government, that government is a failed government. It is not that there haven’t been policies but it is the political will to enforce them. You are in government to show the way.-leadership by example. You can say all you know but you reproduce who you are as a leader. We are coming into government to lead by example. And we are coming into government to ensure Nigeria returns to its glorious days.

It is not going to be an overnight thing, but it is nice to have a new beginning. The people must feel the government and government must feel the people. Accountability must be the key. We are not better off today. We were better than we are now. But we are not here to apportion blame. We want to solve insecurity, fix school curriculum and others. When Kwankwaso was governor, he built more schools in Kano and ensured education was a priority.

As a vice presidential candidate, what do you consider Nigeria’s major challenge?

Our major challenge is education. Education is very critical to solving our problems. In the book of Genesis chapter one, darkness was upon the earth and everywhere was chaotic. God created things for his pleasure. Shortly, there was chaos because the earth was without form or shape. The first thing God did wasn’t to consider the darkness upon the earth, he proffered a solution by saying let there be light. When people are educated, a lot of things they do, they won’t do them.

The lack of education is the reason for the quagmire in Nigeria. That is why there is unrest, banditry, terrorism and all forms of crimes. When you educate a man, it transcends. He sees things differently the way he would have seen them without education. But when you have dark minds, they can’t reason far and do not see the reason you do what you do. Education will curb corruption because it will make them realise what corruption does to the nation. Education will curb insecurity.

Why loot your nation? Why do you want to kill? Education will curb infrastructure collapse. Where there is no vision, the people perish. So, we are bringing clarity to the system. When we say education, it doesn’t mean you have to earn a PH.D. A mechanic can be educated on how to be a better citizen.

But such an education is lacking in Nigeria today. If we take education so seriously, we won’t have a situation where ASSU will be on strike for more than one year. The teachers, parents and government can be brought together for dialogue.

Because there is mistrust, ASUU will never believe government. Therefore, light is key to solving our problems. It will curb insecurity, unemployment and others. When people are gainfully busy, they won’t have the appetite to make trouble. Education will curb the challenges in the healthcare sector. With education, medical tourism won’t be an issue anymore. A whole lot is tied to education.

Without prejudice to the relationship you established between education and Nigeria’s challenges, insecurity and bad economy are now existential problems to Nigeria. Is it the same education you are going to use to arrest the situation?

Whoever you are going to talk to has to see what you see. The people who are causing unrest in Nigeria have their reasons. So, if they don’t see what you see, they will keep on doing the same thing. Education can solve anything. It is not just about going to school alone. Getting people to see what you see by enlightening them is key to solving a problem. With education, someone wielding a gun will know that dialogue will solve the problem he wants to solve with a gun. They must see what you see to follow. Because there has been this mutual mistrust, you see people taking up arms. But when you sit down and dialogue, they will understand what you are trying to say or do.

Light is very important. With light, you can proffer solutions to insecurity, corruption, contract inflation, and mismanagement of resources and hold people accountable. Someone who looted billions is not educated. Greed is an act of ignorance. No legacy is as rich as honesty. We must be honest with ourselves. Are we educated? Not the education of the classroom. Have we talked enough? Have we had enough? Have we been accountable? Who has been held accountable for the Kuje jailbreak till date? Light is key. When you educate a child, you have played your part as a parent.

The child will find his way by doing the right thing. When you educate a driver, he doesn’t drive against the traffic. He will keep the traffic rules. When you enlighten people, they do the right thing. What we do here, when we go to London and America we don’t do it because they are truly governed by laws. In 1994, when I travelled to Jamaica, I saw a signpost with the inscription, ‘’ we are not just in Jamaica, we are for Jamaica.’’ That is education about patriotism.

If our leaders know enough to retain our intellectuals, people won’t be rushing out of the country. Where there is no light you can’t assess anything.

Religion has emerged as a big issue in this race given the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC. As a prominent religious leader, what do you make of the argument that the religion of a candidate and his running mate doesn’t matter?

They have made their choices. I am not an APC candidate. We have made our choice. It is left to Nigerians to use their conscience and know who to vote for. What APC is doing or has done is the least of my problems. My ticket represents a balance. I don’t know what informed their decision. For us here, we have been able to choose a Muslim-Christian ticket.

Are you concerned that the Obedient Movement seems to have eclipsed others in terms of pre-election popularity and presence?

Everybody is entitled to what he wants to do. We can only wish everyone the best and the best is what we want to happen to Nigeria. But we are in this race to win. If they are saying ‘’Obedient’’ so be it. In the NNPP, we are for a new Nigeria. And hope is on the horizon. A new Nigeria is coming and I believe it is coming shortly. Ours is not a sectional party. We are a Nigerian party for Nigerians.

It embraces everyone. The day we stop thinking narrowly, we embrace the wholeness of this country. What makes an improvement and balance are what we need. The day we choose leadership that will enthrone equity, fairness and justice, peace will return. And that is what Kwankwaso and I offer. Kwankwaso is not going to garner experience on the job. He is an experienced man.

He is a man that respects culture, religion and ethnicity. Kano is like a mini Nigeria. And he has helped many to rise. Again, we are in this race to win. A peaceful Nigeria is possible and we are engineering that.