The national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has stated that his conscience cannot be bought.
Kwankwaso made the declaration on Wednesday while addressing his supporters in Kano over recent political developments.
He dismissed the widespread belief that all politicians could be bought, saying those seeking a politician without a price tag should look to him.
Kwankwaso stated that if his primary interest was money, he would have easily placed a value on himself, stressing that no one could approach him with the intention of buying his conscience.
“People used to say in Nigeria that everyone has a price tag. If you are looking for who has no price tag, come to Rabiu Kwankwaso,” he said.
The former governor noted that politics naturally involves gains and losses, but warned that acts of betrayal often attract public resentment, especially at a time when many Nigerians are dissatisfied with governance.
“Life is like that; one loses, another gets. Of course, he entered a system that has no exit point. First, we know that betrayal is not good. Everybody knows how that party is losing the sympathy of the people, especially with regards to insecurity and the economy,” he said.
Speaking further, he stated that politics in Kano was different from what obtained in many other parts of the country, stressing that the electorate in the state was politically enlightened and not easily influenced by inducement.
“Kano politics in Nigeria is different. If not in Kano, where is it that one will meet you with a money bag and go into a meeting with you that they will give you things?” he asked.
Kwankwaso also warned politicians and voters against pursuing short-term benefits, particularly during election periods when inducements such as cash and materials are often shared.
“You will spend four years suffering and one day they will come and give you peanuts, and then you spend another four years,” he said.