Why Kwankwaso Won’t Be Obi’s Running Mate – Fani-Kayode

Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has dismissed the possibility of a joint presidential ticket between Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that the former Kano governor would never accept a subordinate role under the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate.

In a lengthy political commentary titled “The Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage Between Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi,” Fani-Kayode also claimed that ongoing disagreements among opposition figures were already weakening coalition efforts against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the next general election.

He alleged that divisions had emerged among supporters of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Obi, and Kwankwaso within opposition platforms, describing the situation as evidence of an unstable alliance driven by personal ambition.

According to him, Obi and Atiku’s history of moving across different political parties reflects a lack of political consistency and long-term party loyalty.

Fani-Kayode, who strongly defended President Tinubu’s political leadership, argued that attempts by opposition figures to unseat the president in 2027 would fail because of what he called Tinubu’s resilience, strategic patience, and political network.

On the possibility of a Kwankwaso-Obi alliance, he maintained that the former Kano governor is too politically experienced to accept a vice-presidential slot under Obi.

“I do not see how a seasoned and highly respected Northern politician like Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, who has served as governor and minister and has spent decades in politics, can agree to be a running mate to Peter Obi,” he wrote.

Fani-Kayode also pointed to Kwankwaso’s previous public remarks distancing himself from suggestions that he could serve as Obi’s running mate.

He further argued that ideological, religious, and regional differences between both politicians would make such a ticket difficult to achieve politically.

The former minister also criticized Obi’s political style, alleging that he had a pattern of leaving political parties whenever disagreements arose.

He cited comments previously made by Obi’s former running mate in the 2023 election, Datti Baba-Ahmed, as well as remarks by former Obi allies including Kenneth Okonkwo and Babachir Lawal, all of whom had publicly questioned Obi’s political approach in recent months.

Fani-Kayode insisted that President Tinubu remains politically ahead of the opposition and predicted that ongoing disagreements among opposition leaders would ultimately weaken attempts to build a united front against the ruling APC in 2027.

He concluded by urging Atiku and Obi to abandon what he described as an unrealistic pursuit of presidential power, insisting that neither politician would return to national leadership.