Rabiu Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 general elections, has proposed a political merger with Peter Obi for the 2027 elections. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Kwankwaso indicated his willingness to serve as Obi’s deputy in the upcoming election, but on certain undisclosed conditions.
Kwankwaso’s Proposal and Conditions
Kwankwaso stated that while he is open to the idea of being Peter Obi’s running mate, the arrangement would only proceed if specific, though unspecified, conditions are met. He emphasized the need for trust to be established before any formal agreement can take place.
“I’ve no problem with deputizing Peter Obi, but only if certain conditions are met. We are willing to engage in discussions, provided that trust is established,” Kwankwaso remarked.
Kwankwaso’s Claim of Political Seniority
In the same post, Kwankwaso asserted his political superiority over Peter Obi, citing his academic achievements and governance record. He claimed, “I’m bigger than Peter Obi politically. I’m his elder brother, I’m a PhD holder, and I performed better than him when I was a governor of my state.”
However, this statement has been perceived as contradictory given the results of the 2023 general election, where Obi outperformed Kwankwaso in several key areas.
2023 Election Performance: Obi vs. Kwankwaso
During the 2023 elections, Peter Obi won the majority of votes in 11 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and secured third place overall with about 6,101,533 votes. On the other hand, Kwankwaso primarily garnered his support from Kano State, where he won in 38 of the 44 local government areas and accumulated 1,496,687 votes.
These results have led some to question Kwankwaso’s claims of political seniority over Obi, given the broader national support that Obi received compared to Kwankwaso’s regional success in Kano.
Reactions from Political Figures
Kwankwaso’s statements have sparked reactions from several political figures, with many dismissing his claims. Former Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, criticized Kwankwaso, referring to his proposal as an “hallucination.” Doguwa argued that Kwankwaso’s role in the 2027 election was insignificant compared to the support expected for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu.
Bashir Ahmed, a former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, also weighed in, stating that Peter Obi is “politically bigger” than Kwankwaso. Ahmed’s comment further discredited Kwankwaso’s claims of being a leverage for Obi’s success in the 2027 election.
Conclusion
The proposal for a merger between Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso in the 2027 elections has stirred mixed reactions, with political figures challenging Kwankwaso’s claims of superiority. While discussions for such a partnership may continue, the conditions and trust issues raised by Kwankwaso will play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of any potential alliance between the two prominent politicians.
