2027: Kwankwaso Explains Obi Alliance, Says Ganduje and Abba Yusuf Are Politically Finished

Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has explained why he agreed to serve as Peter Obi’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election, saying the decision was driven by national interest, fairness, regional balance and the need for political change.

Kwankwaso said his experience after the 2023 election helped him understand Obi better and convinced him that they could work together to address Nigeria’s challenges.

He said the alliance followed consultations with members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, supporters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party and the Obidient Movement.

According to him, the agreement is based on the understanding that the South will produce the president for one term before power returns to the North.

He said the arrangement was intended to create a balanced ticket capable of attracting support across the country.

Kwankwaso said Nigeria’s worsening security situation, economic hardship, declining agricultural productivity and deteriorating infrastructure made political change increasingly necessary.

He added that farmers, particularly in Northern Nigeria, had been badly affected by insecurity and rising production costs.

The former defence minister also defended his decision to accept the vice-presidential position, saying public office should be regarded as an opportunity to serve rather than as a measure of personal achievement.

He expressed confidence that Obi would respect their agreement and give him meaningful responsibilities if they win the election.

Kwankwaso said his previous experience as deputy speaker, governor, minister and senator had taught him the importance of allowing deputies to contribute effectively to governance.

Turning to Kano politics, Kwankwaso declared that former governors Ibrahim Shekarau and Abdullahi Ganduje, as well as incumbent Governor Abba Yusuf, had lost significant political influence in the state.

He was particularly critical of Ganduje, who served as his deputy governor before succeeding him as governor in 2015. Kwankwaso said Ganduje’s political difficulties began when he broke away from the political structure they had built together.

He also accused Governor Abba Yusuf of distancing himself from the political group that helped him secure the governorship.

Kwankwaso said Yusuf was initially selected and supported by his political movement because they believed he would remain loyal to the group.

According to him, Yusuf has since moved away from the political camp that brought him to power, although he has not fully aligned himself with Ganduje.

Kwankwaso described political betrayal as unsustainable, arguing that politicians who abandon their former allies eventually lose influence.

He said his experience over more than two decades had shown that political relationships could change rapidly.

He also recalled advising President Bola Tinubu about political reconciliation, citing former Lagos State Deputy Governor Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele and former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as examples of former political associates who later became distant from the President.

Kwankwaso maintained that the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance was stronger than its opponents because of what he described as its combination of competence, credibility, regional balance and commitment to national unity.

He said the ultimate goal should be to assemble competent people capable of working together to address Nigeria’s problems, stressing that neither the president nor vice-president could govern the country effectively without a strong team.

Kwankwaso added that political leaders should be willing to serve in whatever capacity the country requires, saying positions such as councillor, legislator, governor, minister, vice-president or president should all be viewed as avenues for public service.

Join us on our WhatsApp Platform @KOIKIMEDIA NEWS YOUR PAGE

koikimedia Bringing the World 🌎 Closer to Your Doorstep