2027: Why I chose to be Obi’s running mate ― Kwankwaso

The vice-presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, says his decision to be running mate to Peter Obi in the 2027 general election is for national balance, equity, and democratic change.

Kwankwaso said this in Abuja on Sunday, August 16, 2026.

He explained that his experience from the 2023 election had helped him understand Obi better and that he was convinced that both of them could work together in the interest of the country.

Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor, said the decision was also influenced by the need to allow the South to retain the presidency for another term after the completion of an eight-year tenure by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said: “People learn every day and that is why experience is very important. In 2023, we attempted to work together and at that particular point, I knew little about Peter Obi.

“But over these last four years, I was able to learn a lot and realised that Peter is somebody that I could work together with.”

Kwankwaso added that the decision was reached after consultations with members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, supporters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). and the Obidient Movement.

Kwankwaso said the groups believed that the country needed a balanced ticket capable of attracting support from both the North and the South.

The former governor said the security challenges confronting the country, alongside declining agricultural productivity and deteriorating infrastructure further strengthened his resolve to support a political arrangement capable of bringing democratic change.

2027: Obi ticket unbeatable in credibility, capacity — Kwankwaso

He said the economic hardship had particularly affected farmers, especially in Northern Nigeria, where agricultural production had become increasingly difficult and unprofitable.

The former Minister of Defence said the dilapidation of infrastructure across the country, except in some areas such as Lagos, was another reason for accepting to pair with Obi.

Kwankwaso said the current situation required the kind of democratic change that Nigerians sought in 2015, adding that the need for such change was now greater.

Kwankwaso said the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket would provide a combination of regional balance, competence and credibility.

“Nobody, no ticket can beat our own in terms of credibility, in terms of capacity and of course, in terms of love for the country; even in terms of empathy for the poor that are suffering across the country today,” he said.