Former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has explained the reasons behind his political alliance with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Kwankwaso made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Monday.
According to him, the North is gradually returning to the political approach practised during the era of Nigeria’s early leaders, particularly Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Ahmadu Bello, who worked closely with leaders from other regions of the country.
He also recalled that during the Second Republic, former President Shehu Shagari maintained strong political relationships with leaders from the South East.
Kwankwaso described the South East as long-time political allies and friends of the North, noting that both regions have historically shared cooperative political relationships.
“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,” he said.
The former Kano State governor explained that his alliance with Obi was not simply based on regional politics but on the need to identify capable leaders who could work together honestly for the progress of the country.
“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,” he stated.
Kwankwaso added that after consultations with political leaders in the North, they concluded that Obi was one of the leading figures capable of advancing such a partnership.
“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 added.
