The Labour Party (LP) has expressed its approval of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s offer to serve as running mate to Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election. Kwankwaso, who ran for president under the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in 2023, recently stated his willingness to partner with Obi, despite the breakdown in talks between the two parties before the last election.
Kwankwaso, who finished fourth in the 2023 election with 1.5 million votes compared to Obi’s 6.1 million, shared his willingness to be Obi’s deputy if certain conditions are met. In a viral post, the former Kano State governor declared his readiness to engage in further discussions, provided trust can be established between both sides. While expressing confidence in his political experience, Kwankwaso emphasized the importance of mutual respect.
Reacting to this development, Labour Party’s National Secretary, Umar Farouk, welcomed Kwankwaso’s offer but advised him to avoid bringing up claims of superiority. He noted that while the former defense minister boasts political experience and a PhD, the 2023 elections have shown that voter dynamics can change, and collaboration is key.
Farouk also highlighted that a merger between Obi and Kwankwaso could offer a strong alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election, though he acknowledged that the government would likely challenge any such alliance.