Nigeria: Kwankwaso says he’ll back Obi or any NDC candidate for 2027

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

Former presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso says he is prepared to work with Peter Obi or any other candidate that emerges from the Nigeria Democratic Congress [NDC] ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Arise TV’s _PrimeTime_ programme on Tuesday, Kwankwaso said the party had already agreed to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria for a single four-year term, with the presidency returning to the North afterward.

“If the party decides that I will be anybody’s running mate from the South, I am ready,” he said. “Right from day one, we sat down together and we looked at the situation on the ground in the country and we decided to take a major decision, including zoning the presidency to the South for four years and after that, the Presidency will return to the North.”

Kwankwaso, who recently joined the opposition coalition within the NDC alongside Obi, said the arrangement was reached after consultations with party leaders and stakeholders nationwide. He added that many northern politicians in the party accepted the deal as a way to ease long-standing tensions over power rotation.

“What is key now is not the Presidency from the North or South, but rather to have quality leadership, people who are enthusiastic, determined and committed to give the country the leadership it deserves,” he said.

Kwankwaso revealed that he and Obi had discussed strategies for tackling insecurity, particularly in Northern Nigeria. 

“Peter Obi and I have discussed a lot of ways we can tackle insecurity. I have worked together with people across board and I am sure of my capacity,” he said.

He also hinted at the possibility of working with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar despite past differences. 

“We might still work together before election days. We had to leave because of issues that are very detrimental. So, we are not fighting anybody,” Kwankwaso stated.

The former Kano governor argued that the 2027 election would be shaped largely by young voters seeking change. He noted that both the Obidient Movement and the Kwankwasiyya movement share similar values and could cooperate effectively.

“The Kwankwasiyya are disciplined and positive, so are the Obidients,” he said. “The fact remains that so many things have changed in this country but we have to realize that it is the turn of youth. I remember my daughter told me to work with Obi in 2023

Kwankwaso criticized state governors, claiming many were relying on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for political survival ahead of 2027.

“Our governors have made so much mistakes. I can tell you that all the governors are relying on Bola Ahmed Tinubu to win elections,” he said.

He also said northern voters’ priorities had shifted, adding, “Things have changed. Northerners no longer want rice or chicken like the other party does.”

Kwankwaso contested the 2023 presidential election under the New Nigeria Peoples Party [NNPP] before aligning with the NDC coalition.