2027: “Why north settled for Peter Obi as most capable ally” – Kwankwaso

A former Kano State Governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, says northern political leaders deliberately chose Peter Obi as their preferred political ally for the 2027 presidential race after assessing key opposition figures across the country.

Mr Kwankwaso made the disclosure during an interview on Arise TV on Monday, dismissing speculations of a hidden power struggle between both camps within the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

“I looked around together with our leadership in the north to say, okay, who do we think is capable? Who can come and work together with us honestly so that we can move this country?” he said.

“Along the line, we realised that Peter Obi is at the forefront of it. That’s why we all accepted to work together.”

Mr Kwankwaso’s remarks come days after he and Mr Obi formally defected to the NDC following their exit from the crisis-ridden African Democratic Congress, further reshaping opposition politics ahead of the 2027 elections.

Kwankwaso dismisses rivalry claims

Responding to concerns over possible tensions between the Obi and Kwankwaso camps, Mr Kwankwaso argued that conflicts between political leaders and their deputies are often caused by greed rather than structural problems.

“The problem people are having, especially leaders, is that they are too greedy to the extent that they begin to have issues. There is so much to do. You don’t have to fight your deputy,” he stated.

Mr Kwankwaso cited his political experience as former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and former governor of Kano State as proof that strong political partnerships can survive under pressure.

“I was in Kano for eight years despite the difficulty of my then deputy governor. We were able to work for eight years amicably,” he said.

Historical north-south alliance

Mr Kwankwaso traced the new alliance to earlier North-South political collaborations in Nigeria’s history.

“Right from the beginning, this sort of alliance has been in existence. Now we are going back to what Tafawa Balewa did during their time,” he said.

He referenced former Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and the alliance with leaders of the NCNC during the First Republic, as well as the partnership between former President Shehu Shagari and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme in the Second Republic.

“They are our friends. We want to work together with them,” Mr Kwankwaso added.

The former governor suggested that subsequent political arrangements sidelined the South-East, adding that the current alliance seeks to restore broader regional balance in national politics.

Tinubu mentioned in power-sharing debate

Mr Kwankwaso also referred to political developments after the annulment of the June 12 election, arguing that later administrations concentrated presidential power in the South-West.

“There was a change during the third republic… leaders worked together and brought in Chief Olusegun Obasanjo from the South-West again. Even Bola Tinubu probably is a beneficiary of all that,” he said.

He insisted that the alliance with Mr Obi was not based solely on regional calculations.

“It wasn’t just because we are going to the South-East… We realised that Peter Obi is at the forefront of it,” he added.

The movement of both politicians into the NDC has triggered fresh political realignments, with lawmakers and supporters from their former platforms reportedly moving toward the party.

Analysts say the alliance combines Mr Kwankwaso’s strong grassroots political structure in northern Nigeria with Mr Obi’s youth-driven support base and urban appeal nationwide.

The development is widely viewed as a major attempt to build a formidable opposition coalition capable of challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections.