The proposed alliance between 2023 Labour Party candidate Peter Obi and former Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwasohas reached an advanced stage, with both leaders reportedly setting up a committee to actualize a joint 2027 ticket under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Sources within the ADC revealed that the alliance was largely brokered by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has been actively connecting Obi with Northern power brokers. The committee, which includes Magaji Ibrahim, SAN, has been working for over a month to harmonize the interests of the “Obidient” and “Kwankwasiyya” movements.
Obasanjo’s involvement is seen as a strategic move to create a formidable third force capable of unseating the APC. The former president, who has been vocal in his disapproval of both President Tinubu and his former deputy Atiku Abubakar, believes that an Obi-Kwankwaso ticket offers the “discipline and vitality” needed to rescue the nation. While Kwankwaso has not officially defected from the NNPP to the ADC, his representatives confirmed that discussions are “on track” and that he is willing to consider either the presidential or vice-presidential slot to “salvage the nation.”
The potential entry of Kwankwaso into the ADC would significantly alter the party’s internal dynamics, as it already hosts high-profile aspirants like Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi. Peter Obi, who has previously promised to serve only a single term if elected, appears to be the preferred candidate for the top spot in this arrangement, with Kwankwaso potentially bringing the Northern electoral “bloc” needed for a nationwide victory. The alliance seeks to capitalize on widespread dissatisfaction with the current economic climate and the rising poverty levels.
