2027 Election: Why Kwankwaso Decided to Work with Peter Obi Under NDC
Former Kano State Governor and former presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has explained why he chose to align politically with former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting the move is rooted in a common mission to reposition Nigeria.
Kwankwaso spoke to PulseNets in Abuja shortly after formally joining the Nigeria Democratic Congress alongside Obi, where he stated that the emerging alliance was not built around personal ambition or regional calculations, but around the urgent need to provide experienced and credible leadership capable of addressing Nigeria’s deepening challenges.
“I have decided to work with Peter Obi because I believe he is one of the few leaders in Nigeria today who truly understands the pain of ordinary Nigerians,” Kwankwaso said.
“We may come from different regions and backgrounds, but we share the same vision — a Nigeria that works for everyone, not just a few.”
Speaking further on the reasons behind the alliance, Kwankwaso highlighted Obi’s leadership credentials, describing the former Anambra governor as a disciplined and transparent administrator with a strong record in governance and human capital development.
PulseNets learnt that Kwankwaso also believes the political partnership between both opposition figures could help bridge the long-standing North-South divide in Nigerian politics while presenting a formidable challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 presidential election.
The former Kano governor further noted that Obi’s popularity among Nigerian youths remains a major factor, stressing that young voters would play a decisive role in shaping the outcome of the next presidential contest.
According to Kwankwaso, the worsening economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and governance concerns across the country have made it necessary for major opposition leaders to unite under a common platform.
“This is not about ego or ‘it’s my turn’. This is about Nigeria. The country is bleeding. We cannot afford to continue with the same style of leadership that has brought us here,” he added.
PulseNets reported that the decision by Kwankwaso and Obi to work together under the NDC platform is already generating significant reactions across Nigeria’s political landscape, with analysts describing the development as one of the biggest opposition realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
The alliance is also seen as another setback for the African Democratic Congress, which both leaders recently exited, while strengthening the NDC’s position as an emerging opposition force capable of mounting a serious presidential challenge.
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Political observers who spoke to PulseNets argued that an Obi-Kwankwaso coalition could reshape the dynamics of the 2027 presidential race, especially if the alliance succeeds in attracting influential stakeholders and building a broader national coalition across different regions of the country.
With political activities gradually gathering momentum ahead of 2027, attention is now shifting to how the APC and other opposition blocs will respond to the latest political development involving Obi and Kwankwaso.
