Kwankwaso Unbothered by 'Spare Tyre' VP Tag, Confident in Obi Partnership
Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
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- Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), stated he is unconcerned about the "spare tyre" label often applied to vice presidents.
- Kwankwaso expressed explicit confidence in NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and affirmed their mutual understanding and commitment to cooperation and delegation if elected.
- Drawing on his past experiences as governor and minister, Kwankwaso emphasized that effective governance relies on a president trusting and delegating responsibilities to their vice president.
Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has dismissed concerns about the traditional "spare tyre" perception of vice presidents, asserting his confidence in the partnership with presidential candidate Peter Obi. Kwankwaso stated that the role of a vice president is largely dependent on the principal they work with and expressed certainty that an Obi-Kwankwaso administration would prioritize cooperation and effective delegation.
A president who trusts his vice-president and gives him meaningful responsibilities can achieve more for the country.
Kwankwaso, who has previously served as governor of Kano State, deputy speaker, and minister, believes his diverse leadership experiences have prepared him for working within a structured leadership framework. He highlighted his tenure as governor, during which he intentionally granted his deputy substantial responsibilities, enabling both to contribute more effectively to the state's governance. He indicated that a president who trusts their vice president and assigns meaningful duties can achieve greater outcomes for the nation.
And for me, I don’t think I will be sidelined by His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi, if we win the 2027 election.
"A president who trusts his vice-president and gives him meaningful responsibilities can achieve more for the country," Kwankwaso stated during a NAN Personality Interview Series. He added, "And for me, I don’t think I will be sidelined by His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi, if we win the 2027 election."
The role of a vice-president depends on the kind of principal he or she works with.
He further drew parallels to his time as Minister of Defence, where he allowed the Minister of State to manage specific areas of the ministry. Kwankwaso argued that political leaders should avoid greed and the desire for absolute control, as delegation leads to more effective governance. He expressed his belief that Peter Obi is not driven by greed but is focused on establishing a legacy of good governance. Kwankwaso concluded by stating his satisfaction with any responsibilities assigned to him as vice president, emphasizing his primary goal is to serve Nigerians rather than pursue personal gain.
Political leaders should not allow greed or the desire to control everything to undermine effective governance.
About this summary
Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.
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