Former Kano Spokesman Slams Kwankwaso, Calls Him “Selfish” Over Tinubu’s Tax Reforms

Salisu Yakasai, a former spokesperson to the ex-Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has accused Rabiu Kwankwaso, the leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), of opposing President Bola Tinubu’s recent tax reform bills due to personal interests rather than genuine concerns about the policies.

In a statement posted on his X account on Monday, Yakasai (also known as Dawisu) responded to Kwankwaso’s criticism of Tinubu’s reforms. Kwankwaso had recently remarked that the “Lagos Axis,” which he associates with Tinubu’s supporters, is attempting to “colonize the North” through the president’s policies.

Dawisu argued that Kwankwaso’s opposition is rooted in the fact that the reforms do not serve his political agenda. He recalled an earlier event in 2014, when Kwankwaso and the “Lagos Axis” allegedly worked together to impose Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, despite resistance from the people of Kano and the kingmakers. According to Dawisu, this was done to spite then-President Goodluck Jonathan.

Dawisu also noted that Kwankwaso had agreed to support the appointment of Sanusi, as the “Lagos Axis” had promised to back his presidential ambitions for the 2019 election. Dawisu’s comments suggest that Kwankwaso’s current criticism of Tinubu is rooted in a personal conflict rather than a genuine disagreement with the policies.

This development highlights the ongoing political rivalry and the complex dynamics within Nigerian politics, particularly between the Kano political figures and the Lagos-based political elite.