Former National Chairman of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has dismissed the proposed presidential alliance between Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, insisting the ticket would struggle to gain support in Kano State, one of Nigeria’s most politically significant states, ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, Ganduje described the reported Obi-Kwankwaso ticket under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as “dead on arrival” in Kano, arguing that the alliance lacks the political appeal and leadership credentials needed to convince voters in the state.
Kano is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s biggest electoral strongholds, with millions of registered voters. Political analysts often view the state’s voting pattern as a key factor in determining the outcome of presidential elections, making Ganduje’s comments significant as political parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 race.
The former Kano State governor questioned Peter Obi’s record during his tenure as governor of Anambra State, saying it does not provide sufficient evidence that he possesses the experience required to lead Africa’s most populous nation.
According to Ganduje, Nigerians should evaluate candidates based on their achievements in previous public offices and the impact they made while serving in government.
He argued that Obi’s years as governor should provide enough evidence for voters to assess his ability to manage the country’s complex political and economic challenges.
Ganduje also turned his attention to Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and one of northern Nigeria’s most influential politicians. He maintained that Kwankwaso’s political achievements do not compare favourably with those of other former governors who secured two consecutive terms in office.
The former APC chairman pointed to his own eight-year administration in Kano as well as that of former governor Ibrahim Shekarau, noting that both completed two uninterrupted terms, which he said reflected stronger electoral support.
He further questioned whether Kwankwaso had left behind a legacy capable of convincing Kano residents and Nigerians that he would be an effective vice-president if the reported opposition ticket eventually contests the 2027 presidential election.
Ganduje maintained that Kano voters would carefully assess the records of all candidates before making their decisions, expressing confidence that the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance would fail to gain meaningful support in the state.
His remarks come amid growing political discussions surrounding possible opposition coalitions ahead of the next general election.
In recent weeks, reports have suggested that opposition leaders are exploring alliances aimed at presenting a united front against the ruling APC.
Supporters of such an alliance argue that combining the political influence of Obi, who attracted significant support across southern Nigeria in the 2023 presidential election, with Kwankwaso’s strong political structure in parts of northern Nigeria could strengthen the opposition’s chances.
However, critics remain divided over whether such a partnership would be enough to overcome the APC’s established political network across many states.
As political consultations continue, leaders from various parties are expected to intensify campaigns, negotiations and coalition-building efforts in preparation for what is expected to be another fiercely contested presidential election.
Although the 2027 election is still months away, comments from influential political figures such as Ganduje underscore the growing battle for strategic voting blocs, particularly in northern Nigeria, where Kano remains one of the country’s most decisive electoral states.
Political observers expect debates over leadership records, regional influence and coalition politics to dominate national discussions as parties prepare to unveil their candidates and campaign strategies in the months ahead.
