Engr. Yusuf Da’awa has claimed that former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, was initially reluctant to accept the role of running mate to former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in the proposed Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential ticket, but eventually agreed in what he described as a sacrifice made in the national interest.
Da’awa made the remarks during an interview on the PAP Show while discussing the reported political understanding between Obi and Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general election. According to him, it was widely known that Kwankwaso had always preferred to contest for the presidency rather than serve as a vice-presidential candidate, given his previous presidential ambitions and political standing.
He noted that Kwankwaso has sought Nigeria’s highest office on several occasions, including as the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 general election. Despite that background, Da’awa said the former Kano State governor eventually agreed to support Obi’s candidacy, describing the decision as an act of statesmanship and national sacrifice.
In his words, “Before, everybody knew that Kwankwaso was not happy with becoming Obi’s vice president.”
According to Da’awa, Kwankwaso ultimately chose to place the country’s interest above his personal ambition because he believes that, based on the principle of equity and fairness, it is the South’s turn to produce Nigeria’s next president. He said the former governor deliberately set aside his own presidential aspiration in an effort to strengthen what he considers a formidable opposition ticket capable of providing Nigerians with an alternative platform for leadership.
He added, “Kwankwaso had contested for president before, including as the NNPP presidential candidate in 2023, but he accepted to become Obi’s running mate because he believes it is the South’s turn to produce the president. He decided to sacrifice his ambition for the interest of the country.”
Da’awa further argued that an Obi-Kwankwaso alliance would foster national unity by bringing together two experienced political leaders from different regions of the country. He said both men have demonstrated administrative competence during their tenures as governors and possess policy ideas that could help address Nigeria’s economic and governance challenges.
According to him, combining Obi’s experience as a former governor of Anambra State with Kwankwaso’s record as a former governor of Kano State would produce a leadership team capable of implementing meaningful reforms across various sectors.
Da’awa also criticised the current administration, arguing that Nigeria needs a president who can devote full attention to governance and effectively address the country’s economic and security challenges. He further maintained that supporting Obi’s presidential aspiration would promote fairness in Nigeria’s democratic process, noting that no person of Igbo extraction has been elected president since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
It should be noted that Da’awa’s comments reflect his personal views regarding the reported Obi-Kwankwaso political arrangement, and there has been no official confirmation from either Peter Obi or Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso that such a presidential ticket has been finalised.