Kwankwaso backs Obi ticket, declares Ganduje, Yusuf finished in Kano

Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, running mate for the National Democratic Congress in the upcoming 2027 presidential contest, has offered reasons for his alliance with Peter Obi. He emphasized the importance of national balance, equitable representation, and democratic transformation.

During remarks at a News Agency of Nigeria interview series held in Abuja, this former Kano State governor explained that lessons from his 2023 campaign had convinced him that collaboration with Obi would benefit the country. At the same forum, Kwankwaso asserted that three prominent politicians—former governors Ibrahim Shekarau and Abdullahi Ganduje, plus incumbent Governor Abba Yusuf—no longer wield meaningful political influence in Kano.

He traced their diminished standing to acts of political disloyalty and weak institutional foundations for their careers. According to the senator, political movements depend on commitment and allegiance; these figures had weakened their own positions through betrayal.

Regarding the combined ticket pairing himself with Obi, Kwankwaso described it as unmatched in credibility and capability among all competitors preparing for the 2027 race. He maintained that the arrangement delivers balanced representation across regions and religions, enabling it to forge unity among diverse Nigerian constituencies.

The ticket, in his view, combines Obi's southern backing with his northern standing to establish a nationwide political coalition. Kwankwaso's statements reflect mounting friction among Kano's ruling circles as the next election approaches.

His candidacy signals a major political reshuffling, pitting him against former allies in the state while demonstrating the NDC's determination to mount a formidable challenge against the All Progressives Congress come 2027.