Isiyaku Ahmed
The Northern Youth Assembly (Majalisar Matasan Arewa or NYA) has strongly criticized the reported political alliance between former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the development as a betrayal of the core values upon which the Kwankwasiyya Movement was founded.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its Secretary-General, Hafiz Garba PhD, the group alleged that the alliance represents a departure from the movement’s longstanding commitment to northern identity, dignity, and development.
According to the Assembly, the Kwankwasiyya Movement earned widespread support across Northern Nigeria through its emphasis on education, economic empowerment, social welfare programmes, and the promotion of northern interests.
The statement noted that initiatives such as overseas scholarship schemes and welfare interventions contributed significantly to the movement’s popularity and established its reputation as a platform dedicated to advancing the aspirations of northern communities.
NYA argued that the movement’s identity was closely tied to the defence of northern heritage and cultural values, symbolized by the iconic red cap associated with its followers.
Expressing concern over the reported alliance with the Obidient Movement, the Assembly claimed that some supporters of the movement had previously made remarks considered disrespectful to revered northern figures, including Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio.
The statement questioned why Kwankwaso had not publicly addressed or condemned such comments, arguing that his silence raises concerns about his commitment to the principles he had long championed.
“The North deserves clear answers on how a movement built on northern pride and identity can now align with a political platform whose supporters have allegedly expressed views that undermine some of the region’s most respected historical figures,” the group stated.
The Assembly further contended that the alliance appears to prioritize political ambition over ideological consistency, claiming that it risks eroding the trust and loyalty of supporters who viewed the Kwankwasiyya Movement as a vehicle for advancing northern interests.
According to the Assembly, the development marks a significant shift from the ideals that originally distinguished the movement within Nigeria’s political landscape.
NYA concluded by describing the reported alliance as a disappointment to many northern Nigerians who had invested their hopes in the Kwankwasiyya Movement and its leadership, urging political leaders to remain faithful to the principles and values upon which they built their political careers.
