2019 buhari atiku kwankwaso divide north
A reference to the 2019 Nigerian presidential election!
In the 2019 presidential election, three prominent northern politicians, Muhammadu Buhari, Atiku Abubakar, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, were major contenders. Here's a brief overview of their candidacies and the dynamics that played out:
- Muhammadu Buhari (All Progressives Congress, APC): Buhari, a Fulani from Katsina State, was the incumbent President of Nigeria. He was seeking re-election for a second term.
- Atiku Abubakar (Peoples Democratic Party, PDP): Atiku, a Fulani from Adamawa State, was a former Vice President of Nigeria (1999-2007) and a wealthy businessman. He was the PDP's presidential candidate.
- Rabiu Kwankwaso (New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP): Kwankwaso, a Hausa from Kano State, was a former Governor of Kano State (1999-2003, 2011-2015) and a prominent politician in the north. He was the NNPP's presidential candidate.
The dynamics:
- Fulani factor: Buhari and Atiku, both Fulani, were seen as the main contenders from the north. This led to a perceived divide within the Fulani community, with some supporting Buhari and others backing Atiku.
- Hausa-Fulani rivalry: Kwankwaso, a Hausa, was seen as a rival to both Buhari and Atiku, particularly among the Hausa population. This rivalry was fueled by their different political backgrounds and ideologies.
- Regional loyalties: The election was also influenced by regional loyalties. Buhari was seen as a northern candidate, while Atiku was seen as a southern candidate (although he hails from the north). Kwankwaso's candidacy was seen as a way to challenge Buhari's dominance in the north.
In the end, Buhari won the election, defeating Atiku in a closely contested poll. Kwankwaso's candidacy was seen as a spoiler, as he split the northern vote and contributed to Atiku's loss.
The 2019 election highlighted the complex dynamics of Nigerian politics, particularly in the north, where regional and ethnic loyalties often play a significant role in shaping political outcomes.