Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has explained why he abandoned his presidential ambition to support former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 general election, citing political consultations, changing circumstances and confidence in Obi’s leadership capacity.
Kwankwaso said the decision followed a reassessment of Obi’s political philosophy and vision for Nigeria, despite the differences that kept them apart during the 2023 presidential election.
The former Kano State governor explained that disagreements over power rotation between Northern and Southern Nigeria had contributed to the failure of both politicians to reach an agreement in 2023.
According to him, political calculations at the time differed, as some Northern political stakeholders believed the region was still entitled to additional years in the presidency.
However, Kwankwaso said the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Southerner, in 2023 changed the political circumstances and informed the compromise underpinning the NDC alliance.
“From our own side, we believe that, as a compromise, there was need for us to allow the southerner to complete his term that was being started by the present administration,” he said.
Kwankwaso disclosed that his political associates subsequently considered potential candidates before settling on Obi, whom they believed possessed the qualities required to lead the alliance into the 2027 election.
He said the decision followed extensive consultations and a deeper understanding of Obi’s leadership qualities, which strengthened his confidence in the former Anambra governor as a suitable candidate for the opposition coalition.
