2027: Obasanjo Scuffs Atiku, drives Obi-Kwankwaso Joint Ticket Against Tinubu
The proposed alliance between the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, and former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, and a former governor of Kano State, and former minister of Defence, Rabiu Kwankwaso, for a joint 2027 presidential ticket has reached an advanced stage, following the setting up of joint committee for the actualisation of the joint- ticket project under the African Democratic Congress, ADC by both aspirants.
The proposed alliance between the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, and former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, and a former governor of Kano State, and former minister of Defence, Rabiu Kwankwaso, for a joint 2027 presidential ticket has reached an advanced stage, following the setting up of joint committee for the actualisation of the joint- ticket project under the African Democratic Congress, ADC by both aspirants.
Sources within the ADC hinted that the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance was originally proposed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, adding that Obasanjo not only blessed Obi’s defection to the ADC, but urged him to work with Kwankwaso to secure the presidential and vice-presidential tickets of the party.
This was even as the former president has not hidden his disapproval of the presidential ambition of his former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Obasanjo openly campaigned for Obi during the 2023 election and mobilised support for him across the country against the All Progressives Congress's, APC's, candidate, now President Bola Tinubu.
Obasanjo openly campaigned for Obi during the 2023 election and mobilised support for him across the country against the All Progressives Congress's, APC's, candidate, now President Bola Tinubu.
In an open letter dated January 1, 2023, Obasanjo stated, “None of the contestants is a saint, but when one compares their character, antecedents, understanding, knowledge, discipline and vitality they can bring to bear, and the great effort required to stay focused on the job—particularly looking at where the country is today—and with the experience on the job that I personally had, Peter Obi, as a mentee, has an edge.”
Kwankwaso, also, served as minister of Defence during Obasanjo's second term in office
Meanwhile, at present, Atiku, Obi and a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, have indicated their interests in the presidential ticket on the ADC, while efforts to get Kwankwaso to join the party are ongoing.
Before his defection to the ADC, Obi had promised to serve a single term of four years, if elected President, after which Kwankwaso declared that he was ready to serve as vice-presidential candidate.
Though Kwankwaso has yet to join the ADC, the proposed alliance between him and Obi has begun even as consultations are ongoing.
A top ADC source told one of our correspondents that the former president had also been connecting Obi with some northern power brokers to ensure the alliance works out.
“We’re aware of the alliance, though Kwankwaso is not in our party yet. Former President Obasanjo is the one who connected the two of them (Obi and Kwankwaso), and he is committed to their alliance.
“The former president believes in Obi and has been speaking with some northern leaders on the need for them to see reason in the alliance,” the sources told reporters on condition of anonymity.
Similarly, one of the leaders of Kwankwasiyya Movement confirmed Obasanjo’s involvement in the proposed alliance, noting that the former president initiated the idea.
“The former President is involved. In fact, he mooted the idea, and we are happy to be on track,” the sources further said.
Obi, Kwankwaso Joint Alliance Committee
In a related development, a committee has been set up put by both Obi and Kwankwaso to galvanize support within the ADC for the proposed joint ticket.
A credible source in Obi’s camp disclosed that the committee was set up about a month ago with a mandate to strategize on how to achieve the joint ticket project.
“We’re no longer at the talking stage; we have moved ahead. A committee has been set up for the alliance and things are taking shape,” the sources further stressed.
Confirming the move, the National Legal Adviser of the New Nigeria Peoples Party and a leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Magaji Ibrahim, SAN, said the former governor was ready to work with Obi either as President or Vice President.
Ibrahim, who said he was part of the committee, maintained that the proposed alliance had reached an advanced stage.
“There is ongoing discussion between Kwankwaso and Obi, and a committee is actually in place for the actualisation of the alliance. The committee is from both sides, and I am a member.
“We are ready to work together either for the first or second position. The central point is to salvage the nation,” he added.
Speaking on Kwankwaso’s move to join the ADC, Ibrahim said the party had reached out to the former Kano governor on the matter, adding that the ADC and the Kwankwasiyya Movement leaders had been holding discussions on the defection plan.
“We are discussing with them (ADC leaders) at the moment. There is a move to meet us, but we’re yet to meet,” he added.
Asked if Kwankwaso would join the ADC if not given the presidential or vice-presidential ticket, Ibrahim said, “I don’t think we can consider anything short of the second position.”
Kwankwaso, also, served as minister of Defence during Obasanjo's second term in office
Meanwhile, at present, Atiku, Obi and a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, have indicated their interests in the presidential ticket on the ADC, while efforts to get Kwankwaso to join the party are ongoing.
Before his defection to the ADC, Obi had promised to serve a single term of four years, if elected President, after which Kwankwaso declared that he was ready to serve as vice-presidential candidate.
Though Kwankwaso has yet to join the ADC, the proposed alliance between him and Obi has begun even as consultations are ongoing.
A top ADC source told one of our correspondents that the former president had also been connecting Obi with some northern power brokers to ensure the alliance works out.
“We’re aware of the alliance, though Kwankwaso is not in our party yet. Former President Obasanjo is the one who connected the two of them (Obi and Kwankwaso), and he is committed to their alliance.
“The former president believes in Obi and has been speaking with some northern leaders on the need for them to see reason in the alliance,” the sources told reporters on condition of anonymity.
Similarly, one of the leaders of Kwankwasiyya Movement confirmed Obasanjo’s involvement in the proposed alliance, noting that the former president initiated the idea.
“The former President is involved. In fact, he mooted the idea, and we are happy to be on track,” the sources further said.
Obi, Kwankwaso Joint Alliance Committee
In a related development, a committee has been set up put by both Obi and Kwankwaso to galvanize support within the ADC for the proposed joint ticket.
A credible source in Obi’s camp disclosed that the committee was set up about a month ago with a mandate to strategize on how to achieve the joint ticket project.
“We’re no longer at the talking stage; we have moved ahead. A committee has been set up for the alliance and things are taking shape,” the sources further stressed.
Confirming the move, the National Legal Adviser of the New Nigeria Peoples Party and a leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Magaji Ibrahim, SAN, said the former governor was ready to work with Obi either as President or Vice President.
Ibrahim, who said he was part of the committee, maintained that the proposed alliance had reached an advanced stage.
“There is ongoing discussion between Kwankwaso and Obi, and a committee is actually in place for the actualisation of the alliance. The committee is from both sides, and I am a member.
“We are ready to work together either for the first or second position. The central point is to salvage the nation,” he added.
Speaking on Kwankwaso’s move to join the ADC, Ibrahim said the party had reached out to the former Kano governor on the matter, adding that the ADC and the Kwankwasiyya Movement leaders had been holding discussions on the defection plan.
“We are discussing with them (ADC leaders) at the moment. There is a move to meet us, but we’re yet to meet,” he added.
Asked if Kwankwaso would join the ADC if not given the presidential or vice-presidential ticket, Ibrahim said, “I don’t think we can consider anything short of the second position.”
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