Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has rejected allegations that he and the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, are working behind the scenes to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid by fragmenting the opposition.
Speaking during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Kwankwaso described the accusations as unfounded and insisted that the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance was established solely to advance national development and improve governance.
Responding to suggestions that their candidacy was strategically designed to weaken opposition forces and benefit the ruling party, Kwankwaso dismissed the claims, citing a popular Hausa proverb.
“If the person talking is a fool, then the person listening should be wise,” he said.
The former Kano State governor noted that the NDC, despite being a relatively new political platform, has recorded significant growth in membership within a short period.
“We are a new party, but our membership is advancing rapidly. In less than three months, we have attracted many members. Peter Obi and I share similar ideologies and plans for development in education, agriculture and human capital development,” he said.
Kwankwaso explained that both leaders chose to work together to provide Nigerians with an alternative political platform centred on welfare, economic growth and sustainable development.
He also dismissed reports of hostility between supporters of the NDC and loyalists of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, saying neither camp had officially encouraged attacks against the other.
“I have never directed my followers to attack Atiku, neither have I attacked him directly. I am sure he also will not direct his people to attack us. Any issues between the two camps are being incited by a few mischievous people,” he stated.
Addressing criticism over his past comments describing the office of the vice president as a “spare part,” Kwankwaso said Obi had assured him that the position would carry substantial responsibilities under his administration.
“Obi himself publicly declared that he will not just relegate us to the side. There are several responsibilities we will take on for the betterment of the nation, and that is how it should be,” he said.
Kwankwaso further revealed that his decision to accept the vice-presidential slot was influenced by the need to maintain Nigeria’s power-sharing arrangement between the North and the South.
According to him, allowing Obi to lead the ticket aligns with the principle that it is currently the South’s turn to produce the president.
“I agreed to be vice president because it is currently the turn of the South. So, to avoid confusion, we agreed that he should run, and once they are done, the seat will move back to the North,” he explained.
On whether Obi would honour an alleged agreement to serve only one term before power returns to the North, Kwankwaso expressed confidence in the former Anambra State governor’s integrity.
“I believe Peter Obi, as a distinguished gentleman, will keep his word of running for a single term to fulfil the turn of the South, and the presidency will move back to the North,” he added.