In a bold statement at the convocation of Skyline University in Kano, former Kano State Governor and presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has accused the Lagos government of orchestrating a plot to exert control over Kano and the broader Northern region of Nigeria.
Kwankwaso's remarks come amid growing concerns regarding external influences on local governance and economic policies. He claimed that decisions affecting the emirate system in Kano are increasingly being dictated from Lagos, reducing the emir's role to that of a "stooge."
"Today, Lagos wouldn’t allow us to choose an emir. Lagos has to come to the center of Kano to put their own emir," Kwankwaso stated, emphasizing his belief that local governance is being undermined by external forces.
The former minister of defense also raised alarms about economic interference, specifically regarding tax collection. He alleged that businesses in Kano are facing pressure from Lagos-based interests to relocate their operations, which he argues is detrimental to the local economy. "Lagos young men are working hard to impose taxes and take away our taxes from Kano to Lagos," he asserted.
Kwankwaso urged northern lawmakers to remain vigilant against policies that could disadvantage their region, citing historical instances where northern representatives were allegedly coerced into supporting legislation harmful to their constituents. He called for collective resistance against what he described as ongoing efforts from the "Lagos axis" to colonise Kano.
"The time has come for us to stand together and protect our autonomy," Kwankwaso declared, warning that continued external interference could weaken the economic and political independence of Northern Nigeria.