A factional leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafi’u Bala Gombe, has strongly criticised Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso over his role in the 2023 presidential election, accusing him of betraying the North and weakening its political strength.
Speaking in a recent interview, Bala Gombe said Kwankwaso ignored calls from key northern stakeholders to step down for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar. According to him, this decision divided votes from the region and contributed to Atiku’s defeat.
He claimed that several leaders from the North had appealed to Kwankwaso to support a united front during the election, but he chose to run under the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), which Bala described as a “small party” with limited national reach.
“Kwankwaso called me and said he had a solution for the North, a way forward,” Bala Gombe said. “But I told him no. Any discussion about the future of the North with people like him is not serious. These are the same people who have contributed to the problems we are facing today.”
The ADC chieftain did not hold back in his criticism, accusing Kwankwaso of putting personal ambition above regional unity. He argued that the North had a better chance of winning the presidency if its political leaders had rallied behind one candidate.
“In the last election, we begged him to step down for Atiku Abubakar, who is also from the North,” he said. “But he refused and went ahead with his own ambition. That decision split our votes and created an opening for Bola Tinubu to win.”
The 2023 presidential election was one of the most competitive in Nigeria’s recent history. Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner, defeating Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party. Kwankwaso, running under the NNPP, also secured a notable share of votes, especially in Kano State, where he has strong political influence.
Bala Gombe’s comments reflect a wider debate within northern political circles about unity and strategy ahead of future elections. Many leaders in the region believe that internal divisions have weakened their influence at the national level.
He further accused long-standing political figures, including Kwankwaso, of contributing to Nigeria’s current challenges. According to him, the country’s problems cannot be solved by the same individuals who have been part of the system for many years.
“You cannot destroy a system and then come back to claim you want to fix it,” he said. “Nigerians are beginning to understand this reality.”
Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and a prominent political figure in the North, has yet to respond directly to these allegations. However, his supporters have previously defended his decision to run in the election, arguing that he had the right to contest and offer Nigerians an alternative choice.
They also maintain that the NNPP’s performance in the election shows that Kwankwaso has a strong base and cannot simply be ignored in political calculations. His supporters believe that calls for him to step down were unfair and driven by political interests.
The issue of opposition unity remains a major topic as Nigeria looks ahead to future elections. Many political observers say that unless opposition parties find a way to work together, the ruling party may continue to benefit from their divisions.
Bala Gombe’s remarks may further deepen tensions among northern politicians, especially within opposition ranks. While some agree with his position, others believe that blaming one individual oversimplifies the complex dynamics of the election.
For now, the debate continues, with questions about loyalty, ambition, and strategy taking centre stage in Nigeria’s political discussions. As the country prepares for the next electoral cycle, the lessons from 2023 are likely to shape decisions and alliances across party lines.
Whether northern leaders can overcome their differences and present a united front remains uncertain. But as voices like Bala Gombe’s grow louder, the pressure for change within the region’s political structure is clearly increasing.