Kwankwaso confirms plan to run as Obi’s VP in 2027, says partnership with Atiku still possible
By Ishaya Ibrahim
A former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has confirmed that he plans to run as the running mate of Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election.
Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, is expected to fly the flag of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2027, with Kwankwaso as his vice-presidential candidate.
In an interview on Arise News Prime Time with Charles Aniagolu, Kwankwaso said the NDC has zoned the presidency to the South for a single term, making him willing to serve as Obi’s running mate.
He said: “If the party decides that I should be the running mate of any candidate from the South under the circumstances, I will be happy to work together with him (Peter Obi). I believe that Obi and I are the men to revive Nigeria’s economy, reduce poverty and corruption, lift living standards, and set the country on the right path.”
Kwankwaso added that Nigerians across the country are demanding change on critical issues ranging from the economy and insecurity to infrastructure.
“Each and every individual in this country has one issue or the other. That is why you find so many people are not even thinking of whether the presidential candidate has to be from my religion, from my part of the country, or has to be tall or short. People are looking for vibrant, capable leaders who are strong enough to do the job, especially based on recent experiences.”
On insecurity, Kwankwaso said the main problem is a lack of political will. He expressed confidence that he and Obi would tackle the challenge decisively.
“Both of us — my humble self and Peter Obi — have agreed to tackle that issue head-on to ensure peace and stability in this country,” he said.
Addressing the possibility of friction between him and Obi if they win the election, Kwankwaso dismissed it as unlikely, citing historical examples of successful North-South political partnerships during the First and Second Republics.
On the risk of opposition vote splitting, particularly with Atiku Abubakar’s move to contest the presidential nomination of the ADC, Kwankwaso said he and Obi remain open to working with Atiku.
“We will still work together before the election,” he said, explaining that their exit from the ADC was due to unresolved internal issues rather than any personal conflict with Atiku.
Kwankwaso also dismissed suggestions that the APC’s numerical strength — with over 30 governors — would guarantee victory in 2027. He argued that many of the governors have lost touch with the people due to poor performance, which is fuelling the demand for change.
Reacting to his designation by the US Congress as a violator of religious freedom, Kwankwaso said the label was orchestrated by his political enemies. He expressed confidence that a proper investigation by US authorities would clear his name.
