The vice-presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over insecurity, poverty and unemployment, arguing that the government does not deserve a second term if it cannot protect Nigerians.

Kwankwaso made the remarks on Friday, October 23, 2026, during a reception and town hall meeting organised by the Middle Belt Youth Council in Jos, Plateau State, in support of the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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The event was backed by the Big Tent, the Obidient Movement, the Kwankwasiyya Movement and NDC leaders. The party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was scheduled to chair the meeting but was unable to attend.

Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor and minister of defence, represented Obi at the gathering, which was also attended by party officials, including the NDC governorship candidate in Plateau State, Akuns Jonathan Sunday.

Explaining Obi’s absence, Kwankwaso said the former Anambra State governor had contacted him earlier in the day to say he was held up in Enugu by circumstances beyond his control.

He added that both candidates had agreed to arrange another date to address supporters together.

“His Excellency Peter Obi told me to inform you that together, we are 100 percent together with the good people of Plateau State,” Kwankwaso said.

Kwankwaso accused the federal government of failing to adequately protect lives and property, citing killings by bandits, Boko Haram insurgents and communal violence.

Drawing on his experience as Kano State governor and minister of defence, he identified insecurity, illiteracy, poverty and the lack of employment opportunities as major challenges facing Nigeria.

“In this country, unfortunately, you wake up and find that 10 people, 20 people, 100 people, or even more, are killed like chicken and nobody cares. He doesn’t care,” he said.

He stressed that victims of violence deserved protection regardless of their religion, ethnicity or region.

“But these people who are killed by bandits, Boko Haram, or communal clashes are human beings. Human beings are human beings. We have to have caring leaders in this country, people who can stand for each and every person, not minding his religion or tribe or his section of this country,” Kwankwaso added.

The former governor argued that protecting citizens was a fundamental responsibility of government under the constitution.

“Any government that can not do that, we can not call that government a responsible government and that government does not deserve a second term,” he declared.

His comments formed part of a broader criticism of the administration’s handling of security and economic hardship ahead of the next general election.

Kwankwaso described the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket as a platform for national unity, saying it sought to bring together different regions and interests.

He said the candidates had agreed to harmonise their policy priorities, with particular emphasis on tackling insecurity, reducing poverty, expanding education and investing in agriculture.

“Together, we are going to fight insecurity, poverty and illiteracy, and invest in agriculture and education,” he said.

Kwankwaso also pledged that every Nigerian child should have the opportunity to receive an education, citing his administration’s record in Kano State and Obi’s tenure in Anambra State as examples of their experience in public service.

He said children who qualified for secondary and tertiary education should not be denied access because of a lack of opportunity.

The NDC candidate also lamented the decline of industrial activity and the disappearance of factories that previously provided employment for Nigerians.

“You can’t find any functional factory or industry to employ our men and women in this country, including Plateau State. The factories we had in the past are gone, and nobody cares,” he said.

He argued that reviving productive industries and creating jobs would be necessary to address poverty and give citizens better opportunities to earn a living.

Kwankwaso called on Plateau State residents to support the NDC in the 2027 elections and ensure their votes were protected.

He referenced Obi’s performance in Plateau during the 2023 presidential election, arguing that the addition of the Kwankwasiyya Movement to the political alliance would strengthen its appeal in the state.

“Let me call on all of you, the entire people of Plateau State to come out during the election and vote the OK ticket and every other person on the platform of the NDC. You have to stand and protect those votes,” he said.

Kwankwaso maintained that the partnership represented an opportunity to unite Nigerians and address the country’s security and economic challenges.

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His remarks signal the NDC’s intention to make insecurity, poverty, education and employment central issues in its campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election.