Senior Political Assistant to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Demola Olarenwaju, has criticised former NNPP presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso for what he called political “double-dealing.” Olarenwaju said Kwankwaso cannot be “flirting with the opposition by day” while “romancing President Bola Tinubu by night.”

He urged Kwankwaso to follow the example of leaders like Atiku, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, who united under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition to strengthen opposition unity. Olarenwaju argued that Kwankwaso should have nurtured the NNPP in Kano State like Aminu Kano did with the PRP.

Olarenwaju also blamed Kwankwaso for creating the opportunity for Kano Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to defect from the NNPP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He added that negotiating with APC leaders, including visiting Aso Rock, prioritises personal ambition over the interest of Nigerians.

The aide concluded that political courage and decisiveness are necessary for leaders to form credible opposition, stressing that tiptoeing between parties only weakens opposition influence and undermines democracy.