2027: I regret not forming alliance with Peter Obi in 2023 – Kwankwaso
The Vice-Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed regret over his failure to form an alliance with Peter Obi ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
Kwankwaso said a joint ticket with the former Anambra State governor could have defeated the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election.
He made the remarks on Saturday while addressing supporters of the NDC at the 360 Event Centre in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.
The former Kano State governor said he did not fully understand Obi’s political disposition and capacity at the time, adding that a better understanding of him could have changed the outcome of the 2023 election.
“I did not truly understand Peter Obi until now. Had I understood him better in 2023, we would have collaborated and ousted the All Progressives Congress from the presidency,” he said.
Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, Kwankwaso had contested on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), while Obi was the presidential candidate of the Labour Party.
Negotiations between both politicians over a possible alliance collapsed after disagreements over the presidential and vice-presidential positions.
While Obi finished third in the election with 6,101,533 votes, Kwankwaso came fourth with 1,496,687 votes.
President Bola Tinubu of the APC won the election with 8,794,726 votes.
However, the two opposition politicians have since reunited under the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Obi emerging as the party’s presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as his running mate.
Kwankwaso described their current partnership as an opportunity to change the country’s political direction and address its development challenges.
He also disclosed that the NDC leadership had agreed that he would oversee the Ministry of Education if the party wins the 2027 presidential election.
According to him, the arrangement followed discussions between him and Obi on their respective records and plans for the education sector.
Kwankwaso said his experience as Kano State governor, particularly his scholarship programme for students, would help shape the party’s proposed education reforms.
