Kwankwaso regrets not teaming up with Obi in 2023 elections

The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has shared his regret about not teaming up with the party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during the 2023 general election. He believes that if they had come together, they would have had a better chance at winning.

Kwankwaso spoke on Saturday in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State, while addressing party supporters at the 360 Event Centre. “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 told the crowd, which cheered in response.

Background to Kwankwaso's Comments

Before the 2023 elections, Kwankwaso reportedly turned down the opportunity to run with Obi. At that time, he claimed to have more political experience and better academic qualifications, including a PhD. He ran on the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) platform, finishing fourth and winning only Kano State with 1,496,687 votes. Meanwhile, Obi, running under the Labour Party (LP), came third, winning 12 states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with 6,101,533 votes.

In the February 25, 2023 presidential election, there were three major opposition candidates. This helped Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to win. Tinubu secured the presidency with 8,794,726 votes, defeating 17 other candidates.

When adding the votes of Obi and Kwankwaso, their total was 7,598,220 votes. Kwankwaso campaigned across the country, but he mainly drew support from the North-west, especially Kano State, where he got 997,279 votes, which is nearly two-thirds of his total.

Obi changed the usual two-party voting trend by winning in the South-east, parts of the South-south, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Lagos states, plus Abuja (FCT).

Kwankwaso's Political Views Evolving

At the event in Jigawa, Kwankwaso said that their partnership for the 2027 election represents a chance for national progress. He shared that the NDC leadership has agreed that if they win, he will lead the Ministry of Education to implement reforms in the country's educational institutions.

“I can confirm to you that Peter Obi has agreed that I will preside over the education ministry. This decision was reached after I presented the educational blueprint from my tenure as governor of Kano State, which aligns with Mr Obi’s track record in Anambra State,” he explained.

Kwankwaso promised to ensure that children from poor backgrounds have access to quality education. He also mentioned plans to renovate public schools, hire qualified teachers, and provide modern learning materials. “I have already demonstrated this in public office. We sponsored over 3,000 Kano indigenes on foreign scholarships without borrowing from commercial banks, taking foreign loans, or owing contractors. That was made possible by curbing corruption, and that is our plan for Nigeria,” he added.

He also criticized the current governments of Kano and Jigawa states. He claimed that both governors have strayed from serving the public good and emphasized the historical connection between Kano and Jigawa. He urged voters in Jigawa to support the NDC ticket to help produce the first vice president from the zone since Nigeria gained independence in 1960.