FORMER Kano State Governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has declared that he is a politician “with no price tag,” insisting that neither money nor inducement can buy his conscience or political loyalty.
News Point Nigeria reports that Kwankwaso made the declaration while reflecting on recent political developments, touching on issues of loyalty, betrayal and the evolving nature of Nigerian politics, particularly in Kano State.
The former governor said politics naturally involves gains and losses, but warned that betrayal carries serious consequences, especially at a time when many Nigerians are increasingly disillusioned with governance due to insecurity and economic hardship.
“Life is like that; one loses, another gets,” Kwankwaso said. “But betrayal is not good. Everybody knows that betrayal is not good. We also know how some parties are losing the sympathy of the people, especially when it comes to insecurity and the economy.”
He argued that Kano’s political environment is distinct from that of many other states, describing the electorate as politically conscious and difficult to manipulate with money or material inducements.
“Kano politics in Nigeria is different,” he said. “If not in Kano, where is it that someone will come to you with a money bag, enter a meeting with you and think they can buy your support?”
Kwankwaso dismissed the popular belief that every politician can be bought, insisting that he stands as proof that principle-driven leadership still exists in Nigerian politics.
“People say in Nigeria that everyone has a price tag,” he said. “If you are looking for who has no price tag, come to Rabiu Kwankwaso.”
He added that if personal enrichment were his motivation, he would have long placed a value on himself, stressing that no individual or group could approach him with the intention of purchasing his conscience.
“If my interest was money, I could easily put a price on myself,” he said. “But nobody can come and think they can buy me.”
The Kwankwasiyya leader also issued a strong warning to both politicians and voters against short-term inducements, particularly during election periods when cash, food items and other materials are often distributed to influence votes.
“You will suffer for four years, then one day they will come and give you peanuts, and after that you will suffer for another four years,” he said.
Kwankwaso urged Nigerians to reject vote-buying and demand principled leadership that prioritises long-term development over temporary benefits, warning that governments built on inducement, betrayal and lack of integrity cannot deliver meaningful progress.
He concluded by calling on political actors to uphold values, remain accountable to the people and resist the temptation to trade public trust for personal gain.