Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, a political alliance between Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi is already generating fresh debate.
Although neither politician has emerged as the Nigeria Democratic Congress’s (NDC) presidential candidate, both are widely seen as the preferred challengers to the ruling party and other major opposition blocs in the next election cycle.
The potential alliance has also raised questions about whether Kwankwaso’s northern political structure could help Obi gain wider acceptance in the region in 2027.
In an interview with Daily Post, Professor Murtala Muhammad, a political analyst and lecturer at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, said that Obi’s appeal in the North during the 2023 election was largely concentrated among urban youths and voters seeking alternatives to mainstream political parties.
He said, “Peter Obi demonstrated some electoral strength in parts of Northern Nigeria during the 2023 presidential election, particularly in Abuja and among urban youths, middle-class voters, and citizens dissatisfied with the traditional political establishment.”
He also claimed that Obi’s strongest base of support remained outside the North based on voting trends.
Muhammad further clarified that although an alliance with Kwankwaso would improve Obi’s prospects in Kano and some areas of the North-West, it might not have a substantial impact on the overall regional voting trend.
Muhammad maintained that local political interests, long-standing party allegiance, regional identity, and religion continue to have a significant impact on voting behaviour in the majority of the North-West.
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim Shares Perspective
Also Speaking on the issue, Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim, a Kano politician and State House of Assembly aspirant, said Obi has become more popular among young people in northern Nigeria since the last election.
He said, “I believe Peter Obi has gained a level of popularity in parts of northern Nigeria, especially among young people, urban voters, Christians in the North-Central region, and Nigerians who are frustrated.”
However, he underlined that Obi continues to face severe political constraints in the central North-West regions, where long-standing political structures continue to hold sway.
Ibrahim claimed that despite these drawbacks, a combination of the two candidates might nevertheless produce a more potent opposition platform than the one used in the 2023 election.
He said that any significant challenge in 2027 would rely on more than just online backing or popularity.
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
