2027 Presidency — The much-anticipated merger between Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, aimed at uniting the opposition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), may not come to fruition after all.
The indication surfaced recently after Rabiu Kwankwaso, the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate from the last general election, confidently stated that he would secure the presidency in 2027. Kwankwaso made this bold declaration while inaugurating his party’s new secretariat in Katsina State, PulseNets reported.
During his visit to Katsina, Kwankwaso also paid a condolence visit to the Yar’Adua family following the passing of Hajiya Dada, the mother of late President Umaru Yar’Adua. The former Governor of Kano State, who has been seen as a desirable political ally by both Atiku and Obi, remained firm in his stance that the NNPP is positioned to claim victory in the 2027 presidential race and across other political offices nationwide.
Kwankwaso went further to assert that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a “dead” party. “I wish to remind you that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is already dead, because we were in the party. Since they have gone out of the line, we decided to check out,” Kwankwaso told PulseNets.
Before this declaration, PulseNets had learnt that key opposition leaders, including Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso, had been in talks to form an alliance for the 2027 elections. Ibrahim Abdullahi, PDP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, confirmed to PulseNets during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program that discussions were ongoing between these opposition figures.
Abdullahi highlighted the importance of unity, pointing out that had either Kwankwaso or Obi remained with the PDP during the last election, the party would have potentially avoided the current political and economic crises. “We lost by over one million votes,” Abdullahi told PulseNets, adding, “If Kwankwaso or Obi had stayed, we could have closed that gap.”
Peter Obi, in an interview with News Central Television, reiterated that he’s not driven by a personal ambition to become president but is instead focused on ensuring Nigeria progresses. “Quite frankly, for me, I am not desperate to be Nigeria’s President. I am desperate to see Nigeria work,” Obi told PulseNets. He emphasized that any future collaboration must have a clear purpose beyond merely winning elections.
“If I see people who can do the work better, I will. I have even heard people who are saying I should not come out in 2027, and I said to them, ‘offer yourselves, then we will put everybody on a scale. If they are better, I will vote for them,’” Obi was quoted as saying.
While the merger discussions continue, doubts remain, especially about Kwankwaso’s involvement. Barr. Ray Nnaji, a PDP chieftain, told PulseNets that Kwankwaso, being a close associate of President Tinubu, is unlikely to align with Atiku and Obi unless given the opportunity to be the presidential candidate.
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Dr. Yunusa Tanko, former spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign, confirmed to PulseNets that discussions around a merger or alliance are ongoing but no concrete decisions have been reached. “It’s a continuous discussion,” Tanko told PulseNets, adding that collaboration efforts are still being explored.
Kwankwaso’s stance remains central to the speculation. Hashimu Dungurawa, NNPP Chairman in Kano, shared with PulseNets that Kwankwaso is committed to ensuring proper leadership in Nigeria and is open to alliances if the conditions are right.
