2027: Kwankwaso relies on Obi partnership to challenge Tinubu, other rivals

By Musa Baba Adamu with agency report

Former Kano State governor and 2027 presidential hopeful Rabiu Kwankwaso has expressed strong confidence in the electoral strength of the Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso ticket, declaring that no rival presidential combination can match it on credibility, capacity and concern for ordinary Nigerians.

Kwankwaso made the assertion on Sunday in Abuja while speaking during the News Agency of Nigeria Personality Interview Series.

The former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) described the decision by him and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi to work together as a strategic move aimed at building a broad-based political platform capable of breaking Nigeria’s traditional regional and religious voting patterns.

At the heart of Kwankwaso’s argument is the complementary political strength of the two men. While Obi commands significant support in parts of southern Nigeria, particularly among young voters and sections of the urban electorate, Kwankwaso brings substantial political influence in the North, especially in Kano and other parts of the northern region.

The former governor believes the combination gives the emerging political alliance a national reach that could pose a serious challenge to President Bola Tinubu and other contenders in the 2027 presidential race.

According to him, the partnership was not simply about combining political structures but about presenting Nigerians with what he described as a credible and competent alternative to the existing political order.

“Nobody, no ticket, can beat our own in terms of credibility, capacity and, of course, love for the country,” Kwankwaso said.

He also sought to distinguish the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket on the basis of its perceived connection with Nigerians facing economic hardship.

“Even in terms of empathy for the poor who are suffering across the country today, no other contender can match us,” he added.

Kwankwaso’s comments amount to an early confidence statement from the emerging alliance as political parties and presidential contenders position themselves ahead of the 2027 election.

The major test, however, will be whether the personal popularity and regional influence of the two politicians can be successfully converted into a nationwide electoral coalition.

The Obi-Kwankwaso combination potentially brings together two political constituencies that have historically operated within different regional and political spheres. Its success will therefore depend not only on the credibility the two leaders claim for themselves but also on their ability to build a formidable party structure, attract influential politicians and persuade voters beyond their traditional strongholds.

Kwankwaso nevertheless remains convinced that the alliance has the ingredients required to compete effectively for the presidency, presenting it as a ticket designed to unite rather than divide Nigerians along regional and religious lines.

With the 2027 presidential contest already attracting intense political realignment, the claim by Kwankwaso sets the stage for a potentially competitive battle among the emerging alliances and established political parties seeking to control the presidency.