Kwankwaso: Government That Cannot Protect Lives, Provide Jobs Doesn’t Deserve Re-election

JOS — The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over persistent insecurity and the decline of industries, declaring that any government unable to protect lives and provide for its citizens is not responsible and does not deserve another term in office.

Kwankwaso made the remarks on Friday in Jos, Plateau State, during an event organised by the Middle Belt Youth Council for the Obi/Kwankwaso campaign team ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He accused successive governments of failing to address the collapse of factories and industries that previously provided employment opportunities for Nigerians, lamenting that the situation had worsened unemployment and deprived many citizens of their means of livelihood.

According to him, the country urgently needs leaders who will prioritise industrial development, job creation and the protection of lives and property.

“You can't find any factory or industry that is working and can employ people in this country, including Plateau State,” he said.

“The factories we had before are gone, and nobody is paying attention to that.”

The former Kano State governor argued that the decline of industrial activity had become a serious national concern, particularly for young Nigerians seeking employment and economic opportunities.

He maintained that restoring industries and creating productive jobs should be central to any administration's development agenda, warning that a country cannot achieve sustainable economic progress when its citizens struggle to find work.

Kwankwaso also expressed concern over recurring killings across the country, including attacks attributed to bandits, Boko Haram insurgents and communal conflicts.

He condemned what he described as the apparent indifference to the loss of human lives, insisting that victims of violence deserved the attention and protection of the government, regardless of their ethnic, religious or regional backgrounds.

“Unfortunately, in this country, you wake up and find that 10 people, 20 people, 100 people, or even more, are killed like they're not even human, and nobody cares,” he said.

“But these people who are killed by bandits, Boko Haram, or in tribal clashes are human beings. They are just like us.”

The NDC vice-presidential candidate called for a leadership approach that places equal value on the lives and welfare of all Nigerians, regardless of their identities or geographical locations.

“We need leaders who care about every person, no matter their religion, tribe, or region,” he said.

He stressed that the protection of lives and property was a fundamental responsibility of government and should not be treated as an optional policy objective.

“We need leaders who will protect the lives and property of the people of this country, and that is part of our Constitution,” Kwankwaso said.

“Any government that can't do that isn't a responsible government and doesn't deserve to be in power again.”

His remarks come as political parties and candidates begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with insecurity, unemployment, the cost of living and economic recovery expected to feature prominently in political debates.

Kwankwaso urged the people of Plateau State to support the NDC ticket comprising presidential candidate Peter Obi and himself as vice-presidential candidate, as well as other candidates contesting elections on the party's platform.

He challenged voters to take an active interest in the electoral process and defend their votes, arguing that electoral participation remained essential to determining the country's political direction.

“You have to stand up for these votes. You've done it before, and I'm sure you will do it again,” he said.

The campaign engagement in Jos forms part of efforts by the Obi/Kwankwaso ticket to mobilise support across the country, particularly among young people and communities concerned about insecurity, unemployment and the performance of government.

With the 2027 elections approaching, the NDC candidates are expected to face the task of convincing voters that their proposed leadership would offer a credible alternative on security, industrial development, employment generation and national unity.