As the 2027 presidential election in Nigeria approaches, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has downplayed worries about a potential political alliance between Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

Kwankwaso recently indicated a willingness to serve as Obi’s running mate, pending unspecified conditions. This proposal was met with approval from Labour Party National Secretary Umar Farouk, who stated that the partnership could be viable if Kwankwaso is willing to collaborate with Obi.

However, Bala Ibrahim, the APC’s National Publicity Director, expressed doubts about the feasibility of such a coalition. He pointed to past unsuccessful attempts at alliances before the 2023 elections, highlighting a fundamental issue of trust between the two leaders.

Ibrahim noted, “The most significant factor in this equation is trust, which will hinder any agreement. These experiments have been tried multiple times, and the outcomes are unlikely to change without addressing the underlying issues. If the conditions remain the same, expecting different results is self-deception.”

He further remarked on the ambition shared by both politicians, suggesting that neither is likely to yield their presidential aspirations. “Kwankwaso and Obi have attempted to form alliances before, but their partnership has never lasted. They are incompatible, each driven by a desire to lead the country at any cost, creating a superiority complex that will not diminish,” Ibrahim stated.

He dismissed the current discussions as mere rhetoric, asserting that the APC’s progress and the evolving political landscape render such an alliance unlikely. “What they propose is just noise. The APC is poised for victory in 2027, and there’s nothing to worry about.”

In contrast, Abdullahi Ibrahim, National Deputy Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), welcomed the potential Obi-Kwankwaso alliance. He stated that the PDP supports any coalition aimed at relieving Nigerians from current hardships and the influence of the APC-led government.

Ibrahim noted, “This development is positive. The PDP initiated discussions among opposition figures to assess the nation’s state. We hope the opposition can unite to forge a common cause, whether it involves Obi’s Labour Party, Kwankwaso’s NNPP, or the PDP.”

He emphasized the PDP’s position as a major opposition force, highlighting its history of governance and current leadership status. “We aim to restore hope for Nigerians tired of APC insensitivity and eager for change,” he concluded.