2027: I Will Gladly Serve As Peter Obi’s Running Mate — Kwankwaso

Former Kano State governor and national leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has declared his readiness to work with former Anambra State governor and presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, as the latter’s his running mate in the 2027 general election.

Kwankwaso stated this during an interview on ARISE News Channel’s PrimeTime show on Monday night.

He insisted that the country urgently needed credible leadership capable of tackling insecurity, economic hardship and poor governance.

According to him, “What is key now is not presidency from the North or from the South. What is key is to have quality leadership. People who are determined and committed to give the country the leadership it deserves.”

He also said leaders within the Opposition Coalition agreed that the South should complete another term before power returns to the North, noting that the arrangement would help stabilise the political atmosphere and strengthen opposition unity ahead of 2027 elections.

Kwankwaso also hinted that Obi was emerging as the leading figure within the coalition following the southern zoning arrangement.

When asked if he would serve as Obi’s running mate should the former Labour Party presidential candidate secure the presidential ticket, Kwankwaso replied: “Yes, you can be sure. If the party decides that I should be the running mate of any candidate from the South, under the circumstances, I would be happy to work together with him.”

The former NNPP presidential candidate further described Obi as one of the few politicians capable of providing the kind of leadership Nigeria currently needed.

“Personally, I cannot remember any better combination, no matter how much time you are given, to find those who can beat us in terms of doing the right thing for this country,” he said.

Kwankwaso further stated that many Nigerians, especially young people, were no longer interested in ethnic or religious sentiments but were instead searching for competent and result-oriented leadership.

According to him, worsening insecurity, rising economic hardship, unemployment and infrastructural decay have forced many citizens to begin demanding genuine political change.

“Young people are looking for the right leadership for this country, and I think they are absolutely right,” he added.

The former Kano State governor dismissed suggestions that an Obi-Kwankwaso alliance could weaken opposition support in the North, insisting that Nigerians wre more concerned about the state of the nation than regional politics.

He maintained that both the Obedient Movement and the Kwankwasiyya Movement were already working together across the country even before formal coalition talks intensified.

Kwankwaso also criticised the ruling APC, accusing many governors and political office holders of disconnecting from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, the 2027 elections would go beyond party structures and financial strength, saying the contest would largely reflect the frustration of citizens battling hardship across the country.