Kwankwaso Regrets Not Aligning With Peter Obi In 2023, Says They Could Have Defeated APC
Former Kano State Governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed regret over his decision not to form an alliance with Peter Obi ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
Kwankwaso said he would have agreed to work with the former Anambra State governor if he had understood him better at the time, arguing that a joint political platform could have strengthened the opposition’s chances of defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He made the remarks on Saturday in Dutse, Jigawa State, while addressing party supporters at an event organised for the presentation of certificates of return to some NDC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to a report by Premium Times, Kwankwaso told the gathering that his understanding of Obi had changed following their recent political interactions.
“I did not truly understand Peter Obi until now. Had I understood him better in 2023, we would have collaborated and ousted the All Progressives Congress from the presidency,” he said.
The former Kano governor also pointed to similarities between their political beliefs, particularly their emphasis on education and human development.
He recalled his administration’s scholarship programme in Kano State, which sponsored more than 3,000 indigent students to study abroad, saying he had presented the initiative to the NDC leadership as part of his proposed contribution to national development.
Kwankwaso’s latest comments have brought renewed attention to the political calculations that shaped the 2023 presidential election, when he contested under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), while Obi flew the flag of the Labour Party.
In the election, Obi secured 6,101,533 votes to finish third, while Kwankwaso came fourth with 1,496,687 votes. President Bola Tinubu of the APC emerged winner with 8,794,726 votes.
Although the combined votes of Obi and Kwankwaso amounted to 7,598,220, the figure remained below Tinubu’s eventual total. Nevertheless, the two opposition candidates commanded significant support across different geographical constituencies.
Kwankwaso’s admission is particularly significant given the political developments ahead of the 2027 elections, as both politicians have now moved into the NDC and are working together on a joint presidential ticket.
The former governor’s remarks also highlight how political alliances and decisions made ahead of an election can become subjects of reflection after the outcome of a fiercely contested presidential race.
With their renewed partnership, Obi and Kwankwaso are seeking to bring their respective political support bases together ahead of the next general election.