Kwankwaso Hints at Obi Alliance, Offers to Serve as Running Mate as NDC Zones 2027 Presidency to South
ABUJA, NIGERIA – Former Kano State Governor and NNPP chieftain, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has thrown his weight behind the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)’s decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria, describing the move as critical for restoring political balance and national stability.
Monitoring Kwankwaso’s live interview on Arise News Prime Time with veteran anchor Charles Aniagolu on Monday, the former Defence Minister said the zoning arrangement is necessary to eliminate the confusion that followed the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
“We in the North support the NDC’s zoning of the presidential ticket to the South,” Kwankwaso declared. “What is key now is not whether the presidency comes from the North or South, but having quality leadership that can move Nigeria forward.”
Kwankwaso revealed that leaders within the NDC reached a consensus to zone the presidency to the South for one term, after which it would return to the North. He signalled strong alignment with former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, who is widely viewed as the leading Southern contender in the emerging opposition coalition.
“If the party decides that I should be the running mate of any candidate from the South under this circumstance, I’ll be happy to work together with him,” he stated.
Kwankwaso further disclosed that even his own daughter had encouraged him to work with Peter Obi as far back as 2023.
The former NNPP leader emphasised that Nigerians, especially the youth, are shifting away from ethnic and religious considerations towards competence and the capacity to deliver economic recovery.
“People are yearning for change,” he said. “They are looking for vibrant people who are strong enough to do the job.”
Kwankwaso was sharply critical of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, citing worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and infrastructure deficits as major drivers of public discontent.
Reflecting on his support for former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, Kwankwaso noted that despite delivering nearly two million votes from his base, neither he nor his political constituency received commensurate political benefits.
“We worked so hard and put our lives on the line, but we did not see any benefit either as individuals or as a constituency,” he lamented.
On the broader opposition landscape, Kwankwaso maintained that his relationship with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar remains cordial despite current political differences, adding that cooperation among opposition leaders remains possible ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged Nigerians, particularly first-time and young voters, to register and actively participate in the electoral process to support what he described as a credible alternative capable of tackling insecurity, poverty, and governance failures.
