Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has revealed his readiness to serve as the running mate to Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential flag bearer, in the 2027 elections.
Kwankwaso, in a viral post, expressed his willingness to be Obi’s deputy, marking a shift from their failed merger talks ahead of the 2023 election.
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In a video shared on his official account, the former governor of Kano State emphasized his political experience and highlighted the conditions under which he would accept the role.
“I’m bigger than Peter Obi politically; I’m his elder brother, I’m a PhD holder, I performed better than him when I was the governor of my state. I’ve no problem with deputising for Peter Obi, but only if certain conditions are met,” Kwankwaso said.
He further stressed the importance of establishing trust in any potential partnership, saying, “We are willing to engage in discussions, provided that trust is established.”
The 2023 election saw Peter Obi securing over six million votes to place third, while Kwankwaso garnered nearly 1.5 million votes, finishing fourth.
Reacting to Kwankwaso’s comments, the Labour Party welcomed the renewed talks, with National Secretary Umar Farouk describing the move as a positive development.
“We are happy Kwankwaso has alighted from the high horse he was riding and is willing to offer himself to Obi as deputy. However, he should stop this talk of being a bigger politician and PhD holder,” Farouk said, urging Kwankwaso to consider the larger goal of unseating the current government.