The Labour Party has responded positively to Kwankwaso’s offer to serve as Peter Obi’s running mate in the 2027 presidential elections, hinting at a strategic political partnership ahead.
On Sunday, the Labour Party expressed approval of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s proposal to run as a vice-presidential candidate alongside LP’s Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election. The offer was made by Kwankwaso, who was the New Nigeria People’s Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election.
Kwankwaso, in a recent viral post, expressed his openness to serve as the running mate for the former Labour Party presidential candidate, nearly two years after their initial negotiations fell through.
The LP and the NNPP had contemplated merging before the 2023 general elections, but their efforts were thwarted when neither Obi nor Kwankwaso was willing to relinquish leadership.
The former governor of Kano State, speaking in Hausa through a video shared on his official account, conveyed his willingness to proceed, provided that certain conditions are fulfilled.
Kwankwaso, recognizing his increasing political influence, stated: “I am more prominent than Peter Obi politically; I regard myself as his elder brother. I hold a PhD and had a stronger gubernatorial performance in my state compared to him. While I’m open to serving as deputy to Peter Obi, this would only happen if specific conditions are fulfilled.”
He went on to mention the possibility of having meaningful discussions with Obi, stating: “We are open to talks as long as trust is established.”
In the most recent elections, Peter Obi from the Labour Party secured third place with roughly 6,101,533 votes. In contrast, Kwankwaso received 1,496,687 votes and finished in a distant fourth position.
It is worth noting that Kwankwaso has been outspoken in his criticism of the Nigerian government under Bola Tinubu, condemning its economic policies for causing hardship among Nigerians.
He also urged the former Kano governor not to undermine the merger discussions once more by suggesting that he is a superior politician with a higher educational qualification.
He stated, “As a political party, we stand for good governance and have given all our candidates, both former and current ones, the freedom to connect with like-minded individuals who share the Labour Party’s philosophy and ideology.”
We are pleased that Kwankwaso has stepped down from his previous stance and is now open to serving as Obi’s deputy, recognizing the over six million votes garnered by Obi in the 2023 election. Despite his reputed popularity in the North, Kwankwaso was only able to secure less than two million votes.
READ ALSO: 2027: Kwankwaso Ready to Be Peter Obi VP Under Certain Conditions
Once more, he needs to refrain from speaking about being a prominent politician and PhD holder. What accomplishments did he achieve as the Minister of Defence? This is why we encourage politicians to always take into account the dynamics of politics in order to assess the electorate’s mood at any given time.
Certainly, the events of 2027 will differ from those in 2023. It would benefit Nigerians if Obi and Kwankwaso joined forces to challenge the APC government for power. However, it’s clear that the current administration won’t simply step aside and let this renewed effort succeed without resistance.
“Tinubu is going to win.”
In the face of opposition criticism regarding President Bola Tinubu’s reform policies, Alhaji Ado Garba (Tati), a legislative aide to the Deputy President of the Senate, expressed confidence that Tinubu will secure a landslide victory and reclaim the Presidential seat in 2027.
Tati expressed confidence during an exchange with journalists in Kano on Sunday, stating that he believes the people of Kano will overwhelmingly support President Tinubu and the APC in 2027.
“The people of the state have been benefiting from the goodwill extended by Barau Jibrin, the Deputy President of the Senate.”
He explained that such goodwill encompasses Senator Barau’s initiatives for empowering women and youth, scholarship programs, dam desilting projects, the provision of federal and feeder roads, as well as irrigation schemes in Kano North Senatorial District, which he represents in the National Assembly.
He mentioned that further efforts consist of providing 60 trucks to farmers at no cost, setting up a Transport Service with over 1,000 buses, and supporting the establishment of a National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) campus in the Kano North Senatorial Zone.
All these programs have had a positive impact on the lives of the people in Kano North specifically, and more broadly, on those living throughout Kano State.
In a similar vein, Tati mentioned that Senator Barau’s populist initiatives have been drawing more members to the APC in the state. The Deputy President of the Senate has welcomed thousands of NNPP supporters into the ranks of the APC.
He stated that Barau has already welcomed thousands of NNPP supporters who switched to the APC, “despite Kano State Government being controlled by the NNPP, and the number is still growing.”
Tati added, “Senator Barau’s initiatives and development programs, along with President Tinubu’s pragmatic and patriotic reform policies, will encourage the people of the state to vote for President Tinubu in large numbers in 2024.”
