A former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has revealed that northern political leaders deliberately chose Peter Obi as their preferred partner for a 2027 presidential alliance after assessing potential candidates.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Kwankwaso said the decision was based on Obi’s perceived capacity, credibility, and willingness to work collaboratively for national progress. He dismissed speculations of an underlying power struggle between both camps, insisting that successful political partnerships depend on discipline rather than rivalry.
Both leaders recently defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after leaving the crisis-ridden African Democratic Congress (ADC). Their entry into the party has significantly reshaped the opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kwankwaso, who leads the Kwankwasiyya movement, emphasized that the alliance reflects a broader historical pattern of cooperation between northern and southeastern leaders. He referenced past administrations, including that of Tafawa Balewa and Shehu Shagari with Alex Ekwueme, as examples of productive regional partnerships.
He further supported the NDC’s decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, describing it as a move toward fairness, unity, and national cohesion.
The emerging alliance is seen as a strategic combination of Kwankwaso’s strong grassroots support base in the North and Obi’s widespread appeal among youths and urban voters, positioning the NDC as a major opposition force against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress in the next election cycle.
