Rabiu Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has conveyed his regret over his decision not to ally with party presidential candidate Peter Obi during the 2023 general elections. Speaking to supporters on Saturday in Dutse, Jigawa State, he remarked that a united ticket could have potentially altered the election outcome.
Kwankwaso acknowledged that he underestimated Obi’s capabilities prior to the elections, stating he should have recognized Obi’s strengths earlier, which might have led to a collaborative effort to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) from power. He noted, “Had I understood him better in 2023, we would have collaborated and ousted the All Progressives Congress from the presidency.” This statement resonated with the crowd, who responded with applause.
In the 2023 elections, Kwankwaso ran on the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) platform and finished fourth, securing just Kano State with 1,496,687 votes. Meanwhile, Obi, representing the Labour Party (LP), achieved third place with 6,101,533 votes across 12 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The elections featured three major contenders, with Bola Tinubu of the APC emerging victorious with 8,794,726 votes.
Kwankwaso’s campaign primarily appealed to voters in the North-west, especially in Kano. Despite that, Obi’s broad appeal led to significant victories in various regions, disrupting the decades-long two-party dominance in Nigeria.
Looking towards the 2027 elections, Kwankwaso emphasized that their partnership will signify a new direction for the nation’s development. He disclosed that within NDC leadership discussions, it has been agreed that, if elected, he would oversee the Ministry of Education. He stated that this initiative aims to ensure better educational access for underprivileged children and to make essential reforms in the education sector.
Kwankwaso reflected on his previous achievements in education during his governorship in Kano State and reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption, which he claims allowed him to fund scholarships for over 3,000 students without accruing debts. He also criticized the current governors of Kano and Jigawa for straying from public-centered governance and urged constituents in Jigawa to support the NDC ticket for the opportunity to elect the region’s first vice president since Nigeria’s independence in 1960.
