The Secretary, Youth Wing of the New Nigeria Peoples Party in Enugu State, Hon Aliyu Adamu Kwankwaso, Monday, said plans were underway for a joint presidential ticket of Mr Peter Obi and Engr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said only the joint ticket of the former governors can defeat the All Progressives Congress in 2027.
The youth leader, who spoke in Enugu, said the coming together of the duo was to save Nigeria from collapse.
Mr Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State, was the presidential candidate of the Labour Party during the 2023 general elections while Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State, flew the flag of the NNPP during the same election, which was won by President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.
According to Aliyu Kwankwaso, “Either Obi will be the presidential candidate or vice versa. Both of them are ready to sacrifice everything to come together as one.
“Nigerians are suffering, and the calculation is that only the chemistry of Obi and Kwankwaso can defeat the incumbent whose performance has been below par.
“During the last general elections, the Obi-Kwankwaso joint ticket was initiated, but it didn’t materialise. If it were successful, APC wouldn’t have been elected.
“Many northerners voted APC because of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, but today, hardship has taught everyone lessons. The Obi-Kwankwaso ticket will balance the centre in religion.”
He said Obi and Kwankwaso had demonstrated their love for the uplift of Nigerians out of poverty.
“In terms of capacities, Peter Obi is a force to reckon with not only in the South East but across the federation.
“Kwankwaso’s support is broad. His candidate won the governorship seat of Kano without having earlier existing structures, like councillors and LG chairmen.
“Kwankwaso has been a minister, governor, senator, among others. He has a national network.
“We expect the collaboration of some forces in the Peoples Democratic Party. Obi was in the PDP, the same way Kwankwaso was.
“So they will enjoy support from a number of their associates in PDP. Above all, Nigerians want a change, but not the type of change canvassed by APC in 2014.”
He called for electoral and judiciary reforms “to avert what happened in 2023 when electoral mandates were stolen”.
He said, “When the reforms take place, the only option for INEC will be to declare rightful candidates winners of the polls.
“We anticipate a change that will usher Nigeria into prosperity and steady progression. Nigeria isn’t working currently. Nigerians are waiting for this merger.”