Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano State and vice presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has revealed a pact with party presidential candidate Peter Obi. This agreement commits both leaders to a single four-year presidential term, following which power would transition back to northern Nigeria in 2031.
In a recent interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today, Kwankwaso explained that this understanding stems from thorough discussions between the two politicians and their respective party platforms. The pact, he noted, is documented both within the party and between the two leaders.
The terms of the agreement are founded on principles of equity and national unity, with the presidency initially remaining in southern Nigeria for four years. Kwankwaso expressed confidence in Obi, stating, “I believe him, and I don’t think he will change his mind when the time comes.” He added that both leaders have put this agreement in writing.
Kwankwaso explained that after their term from 2027 to 2031, they would continue to collaborate as a unified group and maintain their friendship. The agreement was reached following the formation of a joint committee prior to the 2023 elections, which assessed the manifestos of both parties and recommended working together.
According to Kwankwaso, a critical aspect of their alliance focuses on addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges, including insecurity, economic revival, infrastructure rebuilding, and educational improvements. He identified insecurity as a major issue affecting regions across the country, which requires immediate and effective action.
Quoting his expertise as a former Minister of Defence, Kwankwaso outlined proposed strategies to enhance security, emphasizing the need for political will, effective intelligence gathering, better support for security personnel, and increased community involvement. He stated that public confidence must be restored to encourage information sharing about criminal activities.
Kwankwaso also suggested that dialogue, including with extremist groups, could complement military efforts in tackling insecurity. While he refrained from directly critiquing President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, he indicated that more decisive actions are necessary to address the current security challenges in the nation.
