Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, has accused Lagos of attempting to “colonize” Northern Nigeria. Speaking at the convocation ceremony at Skyline University in Kano, Kwankwaso alleged that Lagos was playing a key role in the ongoing power struggle over the Emirate in Kano, claiming that Lagos was imposing its influence in the region by trying to control the selection of the emir.
He further criticized Lagos for its role in tax collection and economic centralization, alleging that resources from Kano and other northern states were being siphoned to Lagos. He mentioned that even taxes from local businesses, including phone registrations and factories, were being redirected to Lagos. He also claimed that many businesses and banks in the north were being forced to relocate their headquarters to Lagos to avoid higher taxes in the north.
Kwankwaso expressed concern about the growing inequality between the rich and poor in Nigeria, calling it a dangerous trend. He urged northern lawmakers to stay vigilant and resist policies that could harm the interests of Northern Nigeria, particularly Kano. Reflecting on past legislative actions, he accused lawmakers of being bribed to pass laws that negatively impacted the northern economy, citing the period between 1999 and 2000 as an example.
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