The national leader of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has set clear conditions for joining any political coalition or forming an alliance ahead of the 2027 general election.
Kwankwaso said while his political camp is open to merging with another party, such a move would only be possible if the party agrees to cede its presidential or vice-presidential ticket to him.
There has been growing speculation that the former Minister of Defence is under pressure to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The ADC already has prominent political figures who have declared interest in contesting the presidency, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Minister of Transportation Chibuike Amaechi, among others.
Kwankwaso is also said to be under pressure from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the party and support the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
However, the NNPP leader appeared unmoved by the overtures.
Addressing his supporters in Kano on Saturday, Kwankwaso stated unequivocally that he would only align with a party ready to hand him either the presidential or vice-presidential slot.
“We are looking for a party, but they must agree to give me, Rabiu Kwankwaso, a presidential or vice-presidential ticket,” he said.
Kwankwaso contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the NNPP, where he finished a distant fourth, trailing President Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi.
