A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Taofiq Raimi, has dismissed the reported demands of the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, describing them as excessive and unacceptable to the ruling party.
Raimi made the remarks during an interview on ARISE Television’s Prime Time, where he addressed claims that Kwankwaso had sought sweeping concessions as conditions for aligning with the APC.
According to him, the alleged requests—including control of 20 per cent of the APC’s national structure, the vice-presidential slot, and a guaranteed presidential ticket in 2031—are incompatible with the party’s size, diversity, and internal balance of power.
Raimi argued that conceding such influence to a single individual would undermine the party’s democratic structure and marginalise its broad membership base across the federation.
He described the demands as a reflection of personal over-ambition rather than a genuine willingness to participate in a broad political coalition.
“If one individual controls 20 per cent of the party’s national structure, it would mean that just five people could dominate the entire organisation,” he said, noting that such an arrangement would be untenable in a party spanning 36 states and 774 local government areas.
He added that the situation should serve as a reminder that political actors must sometimes set aside personal interests for the collective good of their parties.
Addressing the reported demand for the vice-presidential slot, Raimi described it as premature and politically unrealistic, insisting that Vice President Kashim Shettima remains an integral part of the current administration.
According to him, Shettima has continued to effectively complement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and is expected to remain on the joint ticket in 2027.
While critical of the demands, Raimi maintained that the APC leadership remains open to dialogue, provided such engagements are guided by national interest rather than elite bargaining.
He praised President Tinubu as a seasoned political strategist and said any potential collaboration must be anchored on shared commitment to Nigeria’s development.
“Whoever leads Nigeria occupies a position of strategic importance, not only for the country but for the African continent,” Raimi said, adding that politics should prioritise cooperation for national progress rather than far-reaching personal conditions.
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