Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, and Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, have advanced their proposed collaboration for a united 2027 presidential ticket which was reportedly first suggested by former president Obasanjo.
According to findings by sources, Obi and Kwankwaso have formed a committee to carry out the combined ticket under the African Democratic Congress.
The Obi-Kwankwaso partnership was first suggested by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, according to a senior ADC official.
The party official claims that in addition to endorsing Obi’s switch to the ADC, Obasanjo requested the former governor of Anambra State to collaborate with Kwankwaso in order to win the party’s presidential and vice presidential tickets.
Obasanjo publicly campaigned for Obi in 2023 and mobilised support for him across the country against the All Progressives Congress candidate, now President Bola Tinubu.
The former president, in an open letter dated January 1, 2023, said, “None of the contestants is a saint, but when one compares their character, antecedents, understanding, knowledge, discipline and vitality they can bring to bear, and the great effort required to stay focused on the job—particularly looking at where the country is today—and with the experience on the job that I personally had, Peter Obi, as a mentee, has an edge.”
Similarly, Kwankwaso, was appointed Minister of Defence by Obasanjo during his second term.
Meanwhile, Obasanjo has made no secret of his disapproval of Atiku Abubakar, his former vice president, seeking the presidency.
The three ADC presidential candidates at the moment are Atiku, Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi, a former minister of transportation; attempts to get Kwankwaso to join the party are still underway.
Kwankwaso announced that he was prepared to run for vice president after Obi had pledged to serve one term if elected president prior to his defection to the ADC.
Although Kwankwaso has not yet joined the ADC, sources gathered that Obasanjo started the prospective partnership between him and Obi.
“We’re aware of the alliance, though Kwankwaso is not in our party yet. Former President Obasanjo is the one who connected the two of them (Obi and Kwankwaso), and he is committed to their alliance.
“The former president believes in Obi and has been speaking with some northern leaders on the need for them to see reason in the alliance,” said the party official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Obi, Kwankwaso set up alliance committee
Sources claim that Obi and Kwankwaso formed a committee to rally support for the proposed united ticket within the ADC.
According to a reliable source in Obi’s camp, the group was established approximately a month ago with the goal of formulating strategies for achieving the unified ticket.
“We’re no longer at the talking stage; we have moved ahead. A committee has been set up for the alliance and things are taking shape,” the source said.
The former governor was prepared to collaborate with Obi as President or Vice President, according to Magaji Ibrahim, SAN, National Legal Advisor of the New Nigeria Peoples Party and a leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
Ibrahim insisted that the proposed coalition had advanced to a certain point, claiming to be a member of the committee.
“There is ongoing discussion between Kwankwaso and Obi, and a committee is actually in place for the actualisation of the alliance. The committee is from both sides, and I am a member.
“We are ready to work together either for the first or second position. The central point is to salvage the nation,” he added.
When asked if Kwankwaso would join the ADC if not given the presidential or vice-presidential ticket, Ibrahim said, “I don’t think we can consider anything short of the second position.”
However, a source in Obasanjo’s camp, confirmed to our correspondent that the former president was working to ensure that the Obi–Kwankwaso alliance pulled through.
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