Former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has stated why he will not run as a running mate with Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State.
When President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term ends in May 2023, both men will be vying for the position of nation’s chief executive.
Kwankwaso is the candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the presidential election, while Obi will be representing the Labour Party.
The former Kano governor wants his Anambra counterpart to agree to be his running partner amid calls for the two to establish an alliance as an alternative for Nigerians to the two major political parties – the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
On Sunday Politics, he declared, “The northerner voters have made up their minds on what to do; undoubtedly the NNPP, nothing can change it,” when he was asked who the people of the North will vote for.
When it comes to maladministration in our country, “there are numerous concerns in the South East, and a northern voter is worst-hit,” he said. In spite of this, a northern voter still believes that a unified Nigeria is in everyone’s best interest.”
People in the north are finding it increasingly difficult to cast ballots for candidates from the northern states because they are uncomfortable with what is happening in the South, particularly the South East.
It is possible that the NNPP presidential candidate could forge a coalition with his Labour counterpart provided the latter agrees to serve as his vice-presidential running mate.
As he puts it, his team is meeting with a wide range of stakeholders in order to take the reins of power at all levels of the government.
A partnership with Obi is highly likely, according to Kwankwaso. The goal is to operate as a family and provide an alternative to the PDP and APC, he said in an interview with the Guardian.
We have observed today’s economy, security, education, and infrastructure in the country…… we must come together to provide a true option for the people of this nation, and I’m delighted to announce that even at this early stage, the NNPP, even though it’s only been in existence for a little over four months, is everywhere in our country,” he said.
There are so many ways to work out a deal, it’s just a matter of finding the proper people to sit down and examine the situation as it is,” the presidential contender said when asked about forming an alliance.
As of today, the most pressing issue is who will be the next president and vice president, and I believe this is the right time to advise those who are strongly behind the candidate of the Labour Party that for me, I have seen an opportunity for the South East to be relevant in the next administration.”
“Both in the PDP and the APC, they (the South East) are entirely excluded. The NNPP is the final window of chance left. As a member of the Labour Party and the NNPP, I believe this is in the best interest of the country.”