The senator representing Kano Central senatorial district in the National Assembly, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said he could easily defeat President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 if picked as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Kwankwaso made this known in an interview with veteran journalist, Dele Momodu.
The former Kano governor warned the PDP against foisting an unpopular candidate on the party, saying that only a candidate from Kano, Kaduna and Katsina could defeat Buhari in 2019.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has indicated interest in the presidential ticket of the PDP, is from Adamawa.
Kwankwaso said, “I’m a free man now and available to try my luck elsewhere but I know that PDP is the biggest party and as long as they follow democratic principle, Buhari will easily be defeated, but if they handpick and force any candidate on the party, they will fail.
“PDP needs someone from the 3k States: Kano, Katsina and Kaduna to win the next election. That’s where the votes are. It would be difficult to win if they pick someone from any other zone…
“I can guarantee them that I will beat Buhari if given the chance.”