A group, the Northern Youths Assembly, has criticised former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over his reported alliance with Peter Obi and the Obidient Movement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group described the development as a betrayal of the ideals and values upon which the Kwankwasiyya Movement was built, accusing Kwankwaso of abandoning the northern cause for political expediency.
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Hafiz Garba, on Friday, the assembly said the alliance contradicted the principles of northern pride, dignity and cultural identity which Kwankwaso had championed for decades.
According to the group, the Kwankwasiyya Movement gained prominence through its advocacy for northern development, educational advancement and economic empowerment, as well as programmes that provided scholarships and welfare support to thousands of residents across Kano State and beyond.
The assembly argued that the movement’s strength was rooted in its defence of northern interests and reverence for key historical figures who shaped the region’s political and cultural identity.
It alleged that some supporters of the Obidient Movement had, in the past, made remarks perceived as disrespectful to revered northern leaders.
The group said Kwankwaso owed northerners an explanation for aligning with a political movement whose supporters had allegedly expressed views contrary to the region’s historical and cultural values.
“It is difficult to reconcile Kwankwaso’s long-standing image as a defender of northern interests with his decision to align with a political family that many northerners believe has shown little regard for their historical icons and heritage,” the statement said.
The assembly further contended that Kwankwaso’s silence on such concerns had fuelled doubts about his commitment to the ideals that attracted millions of supporters to the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
It maintained that political ambition should not come at the expense of regional identity and historical values, insisting that northerners deserved leaders who would remain consistent in defending the interests of the region.
The group warned that the alliance could weaken public confidence in the Kwankwasiyya Movement and erode the trust built over years of political mobilisation across northern Nigeria.
It added that many supporters who identified with the movement’s red cap symbol and its message of northern advancement now felt disappointed by the emerging political partnership.
