2027: Why I Joined The Alliance With Peter Obi – Rabiu Kwankwaso

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has urged a return to the collaborative spirit that defined Nigeria’s early post-independence years, stressing stronger political and developmental partnerships between the North and the South East. The former Kano State governor and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader made the remarks during a recent interview, positioning cross-regional cooperation as essential for national progress.

Kwankwaso highlighted historical precedents, pointing to the close working relationship between Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, and Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of the Northern Region. He also referenced the Second Republic under President Shehu Shagari, noting constructive engagement with South East leaders at the time. “These are our friends, and we are committed to partnering and working together with them,” he declared.

The statement comes amid ongoing national conversations about equity, resource distribution, and political realignments ahead of future elections. Kwankwaso, a two-term governor of Kano and one-time defence minister, has built a reputation as a grassroots mobiliser with significant influence in northern politics, particularly through the Kwankwasiyya movement known for its focus on education, infrastructure, and youth empowerment.

Nigeria’s First Republic (1960-1966) operated under a regional federal structure where leaders like Balewa and Bello navigated ethnic and regional interests to maintain national unity before the 1966 coup truncated that experiment. In the Second Republic (1979-1983), Shagari’s administration similarly sought broad alliances across regions despite the challenges of a nascent presidential system. Kwankwaso’s reference to these eras underscores a belief that deliberate elite cooperation across the Niger can address contemporary fault lines.

Political observers note that such calls for renewed partnership occur against a backdrop of persistent regional agitations. The South East continues to grapple with infrastructure deficits, security concerns linked to separatist movements, and questions of inclusion in national leadership since the end of the civil war in 1970. Successive governments have faced accusations of lopsided appointments and project allocations, issues Kwankwaso himself has raised regarding the current administration’s focus.

In recent months, there have been signals of evolving opposition dynamics, including reported youth support from the South East for Kwankwaso-linked platforms and discussions around broader alliances that could reshape the 2027 political landscape.

This push for collaboration carries weight in Nigeria’s current context. With economic pressures from inflation, fuel subsidy removal, and foreign exchange reforms affecting citizens nationwide, politicians across divides increasingly emphasise unity to tackle shared challenges like insecurity, unemployment, and decaying infrastructure. A North-South East axis could potentially bridge historical suspicions, foster balanced development, and strengthen democratic bargaining.

Analysts suggest that beyond rhetoric, such partnerships would require concrete policy commitments—ranging from infrastructure equity under frameworks like the National Development Plan to addressing long-standing demands for state police and constitutional review. Historical collaborations succeeded partly because they delivered visible benefits to regions; replicating that today would demand similar tangible outcomes rather than mere electoral arithmetic.

The renewed emphasis on cross-regional friendship signals a maturing opposition awareness that Nigeria’s diversity remains its greatest strength when harnessed through deliberate statesmanship. As the country navigates complex governance hurdles, gestures rooted in the spirit of its founding leaders may offer a pathway toward more inclusive politics.