Former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has explained the reasons behind his decision to form an alliance with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 elections.
Kwankwaso made the disclosure during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Monday, where he said the North is gradually returning to the political tradition established by Tafawa Balewa and Ahmadu Bello.
He also recalled that during the Second Republic, former President Shehu Shagari maintained a strong political relationship with leaders from the South East.
The former Kano State governor described the people of the South East as long standing friends of the North, adding that there is a mutual desire for collaboration and national progress.
“From my experience as former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, I had the opportunity to work with my Speaker, and we worked very well.
“Now we’re going back to what Tafawa Balewa and Ahmadu Bello did during their time, and in the Second Republic, what Shehu Shagari and others did with the leadership of the South East.
“But for me, it wasn’t just because we are going to the South East. No, I looked around together with our leadership in the North to ask who we think is capable, who can come and work honestly with us so that we can move this country forward.
“And along the line, we realized that Peter Obi is at the forefront of it, and that’s why we all accepted to work together,” he said.
