Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has explained why he accepted the vice-presidential ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) alongside Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Kwankwaso said his decision was driven by the need to promote national balance, strengthen democratic change and create a political arrangement that brings the North and South together.
The former governor said his experience with Obi since the 2023 presidential election had also changed his perception of the former Anambra State governor.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Kwankwaso said he had initially known little about Obi when both politicians explored a possible alliance before the 2023 election.
He said subsequent interactions gave him a better understanding of Obi’s character and political approach.
“People learn every day and that is why experience is very important. In 2023, we attempted to work together and at that particular point, I knew little about Peter Obi. But over these last four years, I was able to learn a lot and realised that Peter is somebody that I could work together with,” he said.
According to Kwankwaso, the decision followed consultations with members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, supporters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, and the Obidient Movement.
He said the consultations convinced the various groups that a joint ticket could provide the regional balance needed to compete effectively in 2027.
Kwankwaso said the arrangement was also influenced by the argument that the South should retain the presidency for another four years before power returns to the North.
He pointed to the completion of President Bola Tinubu’s expected eight-year tenure as part of the political calculation behind the arrangement.
The former Defence Minister said he was more concerned about the wider interest of the country than his personal ambition.
“To me, being in government is to serve. I don’t have to be president. I don’t have to even be vice-president. These are things that are in the hands of Almighty Allah. But the fact remains that the situation, as it is today, one has to look at it beyond your humble self,” he said.
Kwankwaso said Nigeria was facing serious security challenges, weak agricultural production and poor infrastructure.
He particularly highlighted the situation of farmers in Northern Nigeria. According to him, many farmers are struggling because of insecurity, rising costs and declining productivity.
He also criticised the condition of infrastructure in different parts of the country. He made an exception for Lagos, which he said had witnessed better development in some areas.
For Kwankwaso, the challenges confronting Nigerians have made the search for political change more urgent.
He compared the current situation with the desire for change that shaped the 2015 election, arguing that the need for a different political direction had become even stronger.
The former Kano governor said the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket was built around what he described as competence, credibility, regional balance and concern for ordinary Nigerians.
He expressed strong confidence in the electoral strength of the ticket.
“Nobody, no ticket can beat our own in terms of credibility, in terms of capacity and of course, in terms of love for the country; even in terms of empathy for the poor that are suffering across the country today,” he said.
Kwankwaso also addressed the question of why he agreed to become a running mate after occupying several major political positions.
His political career has included serving as deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence and senator.
Despite his previous presidential ambitions, he said the vice-presidential position should not be regarded as a demotion.
“I have never been the vice-president. I think it is a step forward despite all the things you counted,” he said.
He further explained that political office should not be viewed simply in terms of personal status.
Kwankwaso cited the example of Sir Ahmadu Bello, who remained Premier of Northern Nigeria despite the possibility of occupying the position of Prime Minister.
He said politicians should be ready to serve wherever their contribution is considered most useful.
The former governor also disclosed that the agreement between him and Obi includes a one-term arrangement.
Politics Nigeria earlier reported that Kwankwaso previously confirmed that Obi agreed to serve for only four years if elected president in 2027.
He said separate agreements were signed, including one involving the party and another between himself and Obi. The understanding is that the presidency would return to the North after the four-year period.
According to Kwankwaso, the arrangement was necessary to reassure his supporters in the North and provide a clear understanding of how power would be handled after the 2027 election.
He said he trusted Obi to honour the agreement.
The former governor also dismissed suggestions that his political engagements with other parties were based solely on securing a presidential or vice-presidential ticket.
He recalled his discussions with President Bola Tinubu after the 2023 election, saying the conversations were about working together rather than demanding a particular position.
Kwankwaso also recalled his role in the political developments that produced the APC’s victory in 2015.
He said he contributed significantly to the party’s performance in Kano but later became disappointed with the direction of its leadership.
His decision to work with Obi, he said, was strengthened by his belief that the former Anambra governor was committed to fairness, justice and national unity.
Kwankwaso also spoke about the relationship he expects to have with Obi if the NDC wins the 2027 election.
He said he does not want the vice-president to be treated as a ceremonial figure or a “spare tyre.”
According to him, his experience in government has taught him the importance of giving deputies meaningful responsibilities.
He argued that a president who allows the vice-president to contribute effectively would ultimately strengthen the administration.
Kwankwaso said he was therefore comfortable with the arrangement because he believed Obi would allow him to play a meaningful role in government.
The NDC vice-presidential candidate also outlined how he believes appointments should be handled under an Obi-led administration.
He said political loyalty should not be the main consideration when ministers and other senior government officials are selected.
Instead, he said the government should focus on competence, experience and the ability of individuals to deliver results.
“Power will be shared according to the needs of the country. We should not be in a hurry to go and take anybody on the streets or anybody we remember. We will make sure that we have competent people because from our experience, the president and vice-president cannot do it alone,” he said.
