The party made the announcement via its official social media platforms, days after Obi and Kwankwaso formally aligned with the opposition coalition ahead of the next general election.
The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced former Anambra governor, Peter Obi as its unopposed candidate for the 2027 presidential election, amid growing indications that former Kano governor, Musa Kwankwaso may emerge as his running mate.
The party made the announcement via its official social media platforms, days after Obi and Kwankwaso formally aligned with the opposition coalition ahead of the next general election.
Speaking during an interview on Premier Radio over the weekend, Kwankwaso expressed confidence that he would secure the vice-presidential slot on the party’s ticket, arguing that such a development would eventually pave the way for Kano State to produce Nigeria’s president.
“By God’s grace, the next election will be unlike anything that has ever happened in our state and country, especially if I secure the ticket and my name is on the ballot,” Kwankwaso said.
“Since the First Republic, despite our struggles and political wisdom, Kano has never produced a vice president. This is both disappointing and deeply saddening, but by God’s grace, it will be corrected.
“Kano state will rightfully secure this position, which will open the door for our state to eventually produce the president of this country,” he added.
Kwankwaso also claimed that the movement being built by the party was gaining traction across regional divides.
“People from the south who understand what is happening are already registering with our party. The north, especially the north-west, must be careful and ensure they do what is right so they do not make a decision they will deeply regret,” he said.
Sources familiar with the arrangement said that Obi and Kwankwaso joined the NDC earlier this month on the understanding that they would contest the 2027 election on a joint ticket, with Obi as presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as vice-president.
The development is expected to reshape calculations ahead of the 2027 election, particularly amid ongoing debates over Nigeria’s informal power rotation principle between the north and south.
Many political stakeholders have argued that the presidency should remain in the south until 2031, completing what they describe as the region’s expected eight-year tenure after the election of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023.
Kwankwaso’s latest comments appear to suggest that if Obi wins the presidency in 2027 and serves two terms, the former Kano governor could be positioned as a leading northern contender to succeed him in 2031.
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