Kwankwaso: ‘I’m Obi’s Running Mate for National Balance, Equity and Change’

August 17, 2026 — Former Kano State Governor and National Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has explained his decision to join forces with former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.

Kwankwaso said his decision to become Obi’s running mate was driven by the need for national balance, equity and democratic change, rather than personal political ambition.

Kwankwaso Explains Obi Alliance

Speaking in Abuja, Kwankwaso said his political partnership with Obi was based on what he described as the broader national interest.

According to reports, the former Kano governor believes the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket can bring together political support from different regions and create a stronger platform for challenging the established political order in 2027.

“I’m Obi’s running mate for national balance, equity and democratic change,” Kwankwaso said, according to reports on his remarks.

North-South Balance

The proposed Obi-Kwankwaso ticket represents a North-South combination, with Obi from the South and Kwankwaso from the North.

Kwankwaso has reportedly argued that the arrangement provides an opportunity to address concerns over regional representation while creating a political alliance capable of appealing to voters across Nigeria's major geopolitical zones.

The alliance also brings together two political movements that have maintained significant grassroots followings in different parts of the country.

Why Kwankwaso Chose Obi

Kwankwaso said his decision followed consultations with supporters and political groups associated with both the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the Obidient Movement.

Reports indicate that he also cited his experience since the 2023 presidential election as part of the reason he believes he and Obi can work together politically.

The former Kano governor has reportedly expressed confidence that the partnership can produce a government in which the vice president plays an active role rather than serving merely as a ceremonial deputy.

A Major Test Ahead of 2027

The Obi-Kwankwaso alliance could become one of the major talking points of Nigeria's 2027 presidential race.

Both politicians have established political bases, although their ability to successfully combine their support networks will be closely watched by political observers.

For Obi, bringing Kwankwaso into the ticket potentially strengthens his appeal in northern Nigeria. For Kwankwaso, joining the ticket gives him a major role in a national campaign while positioning him as a key figure in the proposed political change agenda.

However, translating the alliance into electoral success will depend on factors including party organisation, voter turnout, coalition management and the ability of the two camps to maintain unity.

Kwankwaso: We Want Political Change

Kwankwaso's comments come amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 Nigerian presidential election.

The former Kano governor has presented the alliance as an opportunity to promote national unity and democratic change rather than simply another political arrangement aimed at winning an election.

Whether Nigerian voters will embrace the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket remains one of the major questions that will shape the 2027 political contest.

Final Thoughts

The decision by Rabiu Kwankwaso to serve as Peter Obi's running mate marks a significant development in Nigeria's opposition politics.

With Obi bringing a strong southern political base and Kwankwaso offering substantial northern political influence, the ticket is expected to attract considerable attention as the 2027 election approaches.

For Kwankwaso, however, the message is clear: his decision, he says, is about national balance, equity and the pursuit of political change.