Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said he and his political supporters received no meaningful recognition or benefit after helping former President Muhammadu Buhari secure victory in the 2015 presidential election.

Kwankwaso made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television on Monday while reflecting on his role in the coalition that ended the Peoples Democratic Party’s 16-year rule at the federal level.

According to him, his political movement delivered nearly two million votes in support of Buhari’s candidacy but was ultimately sidelined after the election.

“I worked so hard. We brought about 1.9, almost 2 million votes. But as politicians, we are not recognised. We put our lives even on the line at that time. But unfortunately, we could not see any benefit either as individuals or the constituencies that we represented,” he said.

The former governor, however, did not specify the form of recognition or benefits he expected from the Buhari administration, nor did he identify specific areas in which his supporters were neglected.

Kwankwaso used the interview to assess Nigeria’s democratic leadership since 1999, arguing that the country’s political history has created a strong desire among citizens for a new direction.

He said former President Olusegun Obasanjo “did his best,” while the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua faced significant health challenges during his tenure. He also described former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration as being affected by controversies surrounding an alleged agreement for him to serve only one term.

Commenting on the administration of President Bola Tinubu, Kwankwaso said Nigerians were once again expressing dissatisfaction with the state of governance.

“Everybody knows there are issues with this administration again,” he said.

“And therefore, people are determined at grassroots level, and even at the level we are operating now, that there should be some level of changes.”

Kwankwaso further claimed that growing public frustration had contributed to increasing support for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), which he and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi formally joined on May 3.

“Since we decided to join NDC, Nigerians have decided to come and join us. People are opening offices everywhere across the world. So we are happy about that,” he stated.

The former governor also argued that national progress should not be tied to regional politics, saying effective leadership mattered more than a president’s geographical origin.

He said this informed his support for zoning the NDC’s 2027 presidential ticket to the South.

“Those of us in the political trenches would tell you that it is not only the man from your end that would make the country move forward,” he said.

“What is key is to have quality leadership, people who are enthusiastic, determined and committed to give the country the leadership it deserves.”