A prominent figure in the New Nigerian Peoples Party NNPP Alhaji Aminu Ringim has described Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso as the only politician with the credibility and mass appeal to step into the vacuum left by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari particularly in the North.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday Ringim argued that Kwankwaso’s track record both as a former governor of Kano State and as a national figure sets him apart as a leader rooted in grassroots engagement and committed to social justice and reform.

He stated: “It’s a difficult shoe to wear no doubt but if there’s anyone in contemporary Nigerian politics who embodies the trust humility and mass appeal that Buhari represented particularly among the talakawa it is Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.”

Ringim compared Kwankwaso’s political philosophy to that of late northern icons like Sir Ahmadu Bello and Alhaji Aminu Kano, noting that both Kwankwaso and Aminu Kano rose from Kano’s political tradition and dared to challenge established hierarchies.

He highlighted Kwankwaso’s commitment to education, youth empowerment and vocational training, describing these as modern extensions of Aminu Kano’s vision of an egalitarian society.

“Kwankwaso doesn’t come across as elitist. He remains down-to-earth accessible and passionate about lifting the poor” Ringim said adding that Kwankwaso’s style resonates deeply with everyday people across the region.

The NNPP chieftain also stressed that Kwankwaso’s popular red cap movement, known as Kwankwasiyya, is more than a fashion statement but rather a symbol of discipline, reform and social change, echoing the legacies of past northern leaders.

Beyond the North, Ringim argued that Kwankwaso holds a unique national stature “What makes him unique is that his appeal cuts across religion ethnicity, and even class. He’s not just a northern champion he’s a Nigerian statesman in the making” he noted, pointing to Kwankwaso’s roles as minister of defence and senator as evidence of his wider relevance.