2027: I’m Bigger Than Peter Obi But Willing To Be His Running Mate – Kwankwaso

Former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 election, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said he’s willing to be the presidential running mate to Peter Obi of the Labour Party if certain conditions are met.

Kwankwaso stated this in a trending video on X/Twitter in an apparent shift of position after failing to run with Peter Obi in 2023.

There were hopes that Kwankwaso would accept to run on a joint ticket with Peter Obi due to the popularity of the former Anambra State Governor and discussions were held.

Kwankwaso however rejected the idea saying Peter Obi should rather be his running mate.

Peter Obi, who was already the presidential candidate of the Labour Party at the time, rejected the idea owing to his popularity and the strength of the Labour Party, which had wider spread as compared to the NNPP.

Both candidates contested under their respective parties and lost.

While Peter Obi came third in the elections, scoring 6,101,533 votes, Kwankwaso won the election in 38 of the 44 local government areas in Kano State, scoring 1,496,687 to come a distant fourth.

Although, he had said on several occasions that he held the keys to unlocking Nigerian potential, he said he’s willing to deputise Peter Obi “if certain conditions are met” for the purpose of defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he has been critical of.

He said he’s a political colossus, boasting that politically, he is bigger than Peter Obi.

He stressed that he’s willing to engage Peter Obi and other Labour Party leaders in meaningful discussions ahead of the 2027 elections.

He declared that, “I’m bigger than Peter Obi politically, I’m his elder brother, I’m a PhD holder, I performed better than him when I was a governor of my state. I’ve no problem with deputising Peter Obi, but only if certain conditions are met.

“We are willing to engage in discussions, provided that trust is established,” Kwankwaso said.

The Peter Obi media team has not reacted to Kwankwaso’s statement.