The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, denied allegations of a rotational presidency pact involving himself, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP).
Speaking during an interview with BBC Hausa on Monday, Kwankwaso refuted claims of any discussions or agreements with Atiku or Obi, maintaining that he has not engaged in political alliances and has chosen to remain neutral until the year’s end.
Media reports had earlier suggested that the three politicians were forming an alliance ahead of the 2027 elections.
Kwankwaso dismissed these reports as baseless, stating, “I heard from a source that the PDP claimed there was a consensus where Atiku would rule for four years, I would rule for another four, and Peter Obi for eight years.
This is a complete lie with no basis in reality.”
The former Kano governor criticized senior members of the PDP, accusing them of spreading falsehoods and manipulating regional politics to gain votes from the North.
“Such deceit is part of why I and others left the PDP.
Elder statesmen in their 70s and 80s are misguiding intellectuals with these lies.
They’ve destabilized the party,” he remarked.
Kwankwaso also recalled calls for reform within the PDP that were ignored, which ultimately led to his departure.
He added, “We wanted to reform the party for progress, but they forced us out.
I left, Peter Obi left, Wike left, and others followed.
These same people now want to return and seek the presidency. It’s appalling.”
The NNPP candidate further emphasized the need to revisit the history of the PDP and hold the party accountable for its treatment of the North, saying, “We’ve suffered humiliation from these people.
They manipulated us, and now they are seeking forgiveness. But we must ask, what have they done for the North?”
Kwankwaso reiterated his focus on governance and his refusal to engage in political distractions until the current administrations at the state and federal levels complete their mandates.
