A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Taofiq Raimi , has described Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s reported demands during talks with the ruling party as “unrealistic, overrated and driven by over-ambition,” insisting the APC could not accommodate such conditions.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Friday, Raimi said 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 — were incompatible with the party’s size, diversity and internal power balance.
“What Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso demanded from our party has been quite correctly reported as unrealistic and overrated,” Raimi said.
“If one individual controls 20 per cent of the national structure, it means five people would effectively control the entire party. That cannot be accepted in a party with 36 states and 774 local governments.”
Raimi argued that such demands reflected excessive personal ambition rather than a willingness to work within a broad coalition.
“That is over-ambition,” he said. “It should be a lesson for those who believe they cannot sacrifice personal interests for the general interest of the party.”
On the reported demand for the vice-presidential slot, Raimi dismissed it as premature and politically untenable.
“We believe that demand is immature at this moment,” he said.
“We currently have a vice-president who is doing very well, complementing the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Without prejudice to future dynamics, we believe he will remain on the same ticket.”
He also rejected claims that Kwankwaso’s political weight justified such concessions, even in Kano and the wider North-West.
“Even if he were to deliver the entire North-West, those demands are still excessive,” Raimi said.
“No single individual can override the collective interests of stakeholders across the country.”
Despite his criticism, Raimi said the APC leadership remained open to engagement, stressing President Tinubu’s political experience and inclusive approach.
“Our president is one of the greatest political strategists to come out of Nigeria in modern democracy,” he said.
“If Senator Kwankwaso believes he can work with other stakeholders for the benefit of Nigeria, the door remains open.”
Raimi added that political negotiations must ultimately serve national cohesion rather than elite bargaining.
“Whoever leads Nigeria occupies a strategic position, not just for this country but for Africa,” he said.
“Politics must be about collaboration for national development, not overreaching demands.”
Boluwatife Enome
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