Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has been tipped to take over the influence of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Dockaysworld recalls that Buhari passed away on July 13, 2025, in London. He was later buried in his hometown in Daura, Katsina State.
Following his death, discussions have emerged about which politician in the North is capable of carrying on his strong influence in the region.
A chieftain of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Alhaji Aminu Ringim has tipped Kwankwaso as the only politician capable of filling that vacuum.
Buhari, who ruled Nigeria from 2015 to 2023, was known across northern Nigeria for his discipline, anti-corruption stance, and strong connection to the common people.
He was widely known to command a large number of northern votes in the elections he participated in.
Ringim, speaking in Abuja, said that Buhari’s death created not only a political gap, but a moral and emotional one for millions of northern Nigerians.
He argued that Kwankwaso, who hails from Kano State, shares the same grassroots energy and concern for ordinary citizens that defined Buhari’s style of leadership. He pointed to Kwankwaso’s achievements in education, youth empowerment, and social justice, particularly during his two terms as governor of Kano.
In his words, “It’s a difficult shoe to wear, no doubt, but if there’s anyone in contemporary Nigerian politics who embodies the trust, humility and mass appeal that Buhari represented, particularly among the talakawa, it is Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.
“Over the years, Kwankwaso has shown himself to be a deeply grassroots politician. He walks among the people, speaks their language, and understands their yearnings. His commitment to education, youth empowerment and social justice mirrors the same northern populist tradition that Buhari carried on.
“Kwankwaso doesn’t come across as elitist; he remains down-to-earth, accessible and passionate about lifting the poor. That’s why many are already looking to him to take on the mantle of northern leadership in this post-Buhari era.
“From the Kwankwasiyya red cap, which is more than just a symbol, to the emphasis on education, vocational training and discipline, these are Aminu Kano’s tools repurposed for the 21st century.
“And don’t forget, both men rose from Kano’s political soil and both dared to challenge the status quo. Kwankwaso, like Aminu Kano, believes in breaking the class barrier and creating opportunities for the children of the poor to rise. He doesn’t just speak of reform, he implements it, as we saw during his tenure as Kano governor and even as minister of defence.
“What makes him unique is that his appeal cuts across religion, ethnicity, and even class. He’s not just a northern champion, he’s a Nigerian statesman in the making. Remember, he’s held national positions, he’s respected internationally, and he’s remained consistent in his ideology. Just like Ahmadu Bello was seen as the voice of the North and Tafawa Balewa was respected for his simplicity and diplomacy, Kwankwaso stands as a bridge between the old North and a modern progressive future.”
Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, former senator, and former Minister of Defence, commands the “Kwankwasiyya” movement, where thousands of his supporters are housed.
In the 2023 presidential election, Kwankwaso performed strongly in Kano despite running under a relatively unpopular NNPP.
