Kwankwaso Denies Working With Peter Obi To Split Opposition

The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has dismissed allegations that he and the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, are secretly working to aid President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

Naija News reports that Kwankwaso said claims that the NDC ticket was designed to divide the opposition and benefit the ruling party were baseless.

He stated this in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service.

Responding to the allegation, Kwankwaso invoked a Hausa proverb, saying critics of the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance were being mischievous.

“If the person talking is a fool, then the person listening should be wise,” he said.

He maintained that the NDC was focused on national development and not working for any political opponent.

Kwankwaso said the NDC, though a relatively new political platform, had recorded rapid growth within a short period.

“We are a new party, but our membership is advancing rapidly. In less than three months, we have attracted many members. Peter Obi and I share similar ideologies and plans for development in education, agriculture, and human capital development,” he said.

He explained that he and Obi agreed to work together because of their shared vision for positive change in Nigeria.

According to him, their partnership is aimed at providing a credible alternative focused on welfare and development.

‘I Never Asked Supporters To Attack Atiku’

The former Kano State governor also dismissed reports of tension between his supporters and those of other opposition figures, especially former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

He said any hostility between the two camps was being instigated by mischief-makers.

“I have never directed my followers to attack Atiku, nor have I attacked him directly. I am sure he also will not direct his people to attack us. Any issues between the two camps are being incited by a few mischievous people,” he stated.

Kwankwaso also addressed criticism over his previous comment that the office of the vice president is merely a “spare part.”

He said Obi had assured him that his administration would give meaningful responsibilities to the vice president.

“Obi himself publicly declared that he will not just relegate us to the side. There are several responsibilities we will take on for the betterment of the nation, and that is how it should be,” he said.

‘South Should Complete Its Turn’

Explaining why he accepted the vice-presidential slot, Kwankwaso said he did so in respect of the country’s power-sharing arrangement between the North and the South.

“I agreed to be vice president because it is currently the turn of the South. So, to avoid confusion, we agreed that he should run, and once they are done, the seat will move back to the North,” he said.

Asked whether he believed Obi would honour an alleged agreement to serve only one term before power returns to the North, Kwankwaso expressed confidence in the NDC presidential candidate.

“I believe Peter Obi, as a distinguished gentleman, will keep his word of running for a single term to fulfil the turn of the South, and the presidency will move back to the North,” he added.