NEWS
2023 Election: “My Daughter Asked Me to Work With Peter Obi“ — Kwankwaso Speaks on Youth Political Mindset in Nigeria
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has revealed that one of his daughters urged him to form a political alliance with Peter Obi during the buildup to the 2023 general election, highlighting what he described as the growing political consciousness and leadership expectations among young Nigerians.
Kwankwaso made the revelation on Monday while speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, where he reflected on the changing political landscape in Nigeria and the widening disconnect between older political leaders and the younger generation.
The former Kano State governor said many political leaders in the country have failed to fully understand the mindset, aspirations, and priorities of young Nigerians, especially in an era dominated by social media engagement and digital political awareness.
According to him, younger Nigerians are becoming increasingly less concerned about divisive issues such as religion and ethnicity, which have long shaped political conversations among the older generation. Instead, he noted that the youth are more focused on competence, credibility, and the search for leaders capable of transforming the country.
Kwankwaso explained that the shift in political thinking among young people became evident to him even within his own household during the 2023 presidential election season, as younger family members openly advocated political collaboration for the greater good of the country.
“So many things have changed in this country. You have leaders, many of whom don’t even realize what is happening on social media. We have leaders who hardly have any contact with young men and women.
“People of our age, my age, or especially the age of Atiku, are very few in this country compared to the younger people. The younger people have their own way of thinking, even our children.
“You will be surprised, even during the 2023 election, in my own house, my own daughter was telling me to go and work with Peter Obi. She didn’t say she was obedient, but she wanted me to work together with him, and vice versa.
“So you see, there is a lot happening in this country, but people at that level we are talking about don’t even understand.
“People are talking about religion. People are talking about ethnicity. People are talking, especially those at our level and age, but the younger people are looking for the right leadership for this country. And I think they are absolutely right,” Kwankwaso said.