Politics

2023: Why I can’t be running mate to anyone- Kwankwaso

Published

3 years ago

July 3, 2022

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), on Saturday, said accepting to be running mate to any presidential candidate would lead to the collapse of NNPP.
Kwankwaso, a former Governor of Kano State, who was in Gombe State to inaugurate the state office of NNPP and to meet with elected members of the party stated this in an interview with newsmen.
He said his political profile built over the years and his wealth of experience having served in various capacities in the country had helped in bringing NNPP to limelight within a short time.
He stated that with the fame the NNPP had achieved within the short time, anything short of his presidency under the party would mean the collapse of the NNPP.
Kwankwaso confirmed that his party had been in talks with the Labour Party for possible merger but the main issue that hindered progress was the issue of who becomes the presidential candidate.
“From the discussion with Labour Party, the main issue was who becomes the president if the parties merge.

“At the end of the day, some of our representatives thought that there should be a criteria in terms of age, qualification, offices held, performance and so on.

READ ALSO:

“Of course the other side wouldn’t want that. Most of the people from there believe that presidency has to go there (South East).
“If now I decide to be vice presidential candidate to anybody in this country; NNPP will collapse, because the party is based on what we have built in the last 30 years.
“I served for 17 years as a civil servant; we are talking of 47 years of very serious hard work that is what is rarely holding NNPP now,” he said.
The national leader of the NNPP said he was not against presidency going to any part of the country but it must be done based on “strategy, political calculation and equation.”
According to him, the South East are good in business and are well talented but they should learn politics, “in politics they are at the bottom line.”
He stated that the zone had lost out on the presidential and vice presidential candidates of both All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but had a chance with the NNPP.
He stated that those saying “even if my friend (Peter Obi) wants to accept vice presidential candidate, some people in the South East will not accept, that is not strategic.”
He said Bola Tinubu was strategic to have supported the APC in 2015 and “today he is the presidential candidate of the APC.”
Kwankwaso said the best option for the South East was for the zone to partner with NNPP, “this is a golden opportunity, if they lose it, it will be a disaster.”
On the choice of his running mate, Kwankwaso said “we have options in the NNPP in the South to pick a good vice president and one of them is the Labour Party man you are talking about.”

On the chances of NNPP in 2023 elections, Kwankwaso said his party had the structure, organisation and population across the country to contest and win elections.
He said if elected president in 2023, his vision would be to create opportunities for the youths of Nigeria to get employed, achieved their dreams and be empowered educationally and economically.

Related Topics:Featured Kwankwaso running mate

Up Next

Amaechi asks his supporters to put their anger aside, vote for APC

Don't Miss

South-East APC demands senate presidency, SGF from Tinubu

Politics

Wike Fires Back at Makinde, Denies Plan to Weaken PDP for Tinubu

Published

18 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike

Wike Fires Back at Makinde, Denies Plan to Weaken PDP for Tinubu

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde that he promised to “hold the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) down” to ease President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

Wike refuted the allegation during an end-of-the-year media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday, describing the claim as false, unfair and borne out of political frustration.

“What was that purpose that would have led me to say, ‘Mr President, I’ll hold PDP down for you?’” Wike asked.

Governor Makinde had last week alleged during a media chat in Ibadan, Oyo State, that Wike volunteered to weaken the PDP for Tinubu’s benefit during a meeting attended by the president and other political figures. Makinde said he was shocked by the alleged statement and insisted he would not support Tinubu’s second-term bid.

READ ALSO:

Responding, Wike denied that such a meeting or statement ever took place. He clarified that he, alongside former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Makinde, only paid a post-election visit to President Tinubu to discuss general political issues.

“There was no such meeting. It is completely out of point to say I told Mr President that I would hold PDP down. It is very unfair,” Wike said.

The FCT minister accused Makinde of misrepresenting events and allowing personal ambition to fuel internal divisions within the opposition PDP.

“You can see frustration in Seyi Makinde. There is nothing wrong with ambition, but ambition must be guided by the rules,” Wike stated.

He further blamed Makinde for the legal battles that deepened the PDP crisis, alleging that party leaders had agreed to resolve disputes internally before Makinde took matters to court.

“We all agreed for the party to move on. He refused and went to the Supreme Court. When he went, he lost,” Wike said.

The rift between the two senior PDP figures has intensified following Makinde’s public declaration that he would not support President Tinubu in 2027, citing concerns over opposition survival and democratic balance.

Wike, however, maintained that he never offered to undermine the PDP, insisting that the allegations attributed to him were spurious and ill-conceived.

Wike Fires Back at Makinde, Denies Plan to Weaken PDP for Tinubu

Politics

I Won’t Be Anyone’s Running Mate in 2027 — Peter Obi

Published

19 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Peter Obi

I Won’t Be Anyone’s Running Mate in 2027 — Peter Obi

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has declared that he will not serve as a running mate to any presidential aspirant in the 2027 general election, insisting that his ambition is to contest as president.

Obi made the declaration on Sunday night during an X Spaces conversation, where he spoke extensively on his political future, leadership vision, and preparedness to govern Nigeria.

READ ALSO:

The former Anambra State governor stressed that he had acquired sufficient experience in both the private sector and public service, making it unnecessary for him to seek the position of Vice President.

“I am not travelling round the world to learn governance to be Vice President,” Obi said.

He expressed confidence in his ability to lead the country, stating that he possesses the knowledge and competence required to turn Nigeria around.

“I built my business from scratch and have more experience than any candidate, including the sitting President. Peter Obi will be on the ballot in 2027. I need your support and your prayers,” he added.

Obi’s declaration is expected to shape conversations ahead of the 2027 presidential election, particularly within the Labour Party and among his supporters nationwide.

I Won’t Be Anyone’s Running Mate in 2027 — Peter Obi

Politics

Kwankwaso, Governor Abba Yusuf Set to Dump NNPP for APC in Major Kano Political Realignment

Published

1 day ago

December 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the incumbent Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf

Kwankwaso, Governor Abba Yusuf Set to Dump NNPP for APC in Major Kano Political Realignment

Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the incumbent Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf are expected to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in what is being described as a collective decision endorsed by Kano voters and key political stakeholders.

The anticipated move would see both leaders abandon the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), the platform that powered their sweeping victory in the last general election, and align with the ruling APC at the national level.

The development was disclosed by Abdullahi Rogo, Director-General of the Protocol Directorate of the Kano State Government House, during a video statement that has since gained wide circulation.

According to Rogo, extensive political consultations in Kano State were held with influential actors across the state’s political structure, including the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly and prominent members of the Kwankwasiyya political movement.

READ ALSO:

He said the engagements culminated in a unanimous agreement on the state’s next political direction.

“After our meeting with the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly and other members of Kwankwasiyya, we agreed that Kwankwaso and Governor Abba K. Yusuf should join the APC,” Rogo stated.

Rogo stressed that the proposed defection reflects the will of the people of Kano, noting that political decisions must align with the interests and expectations of the electorate.

He described the planned move as a strategic political decision aimed at strengthening Kano State’s influence at the national level, particularly within the framework of federal power.

Kwankwaso, a former presidential candidate and one of the most influential figures in northern Nigerian politics, commands a vast grassroots following across Kano and beyond. Governor Yusuf, his longtime ally and political protégé, currently controls the state’s executive arm, making the potential defection highly consequential.

If confirmed, the move would represent a major political boost for the APC in Kano State and could significantly reshape political alignments ahead of future elections in the state and the wider North.