BY JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
A group under the aegis of Ndigbo for Tinubu 2027 Forum (NDI-ABAT) has dismissed speculations of a possible presidential alliance between Peter Obi and Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso, insisting that such a ticket would not pose a serious challenge to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued on Thursday and jointly signed by the group’s national coordinator, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and the secretary-general, Dr Ugwuoke Ugwuoke, described the reported alliance as politically weak and not feasible, particularly under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
NDI-ABAT alleged that moves to form a joint ticket between the two opposition figures are being influenced by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, claiming that discussions are ongoing ahead of the next election cycle.
The group further claimed that Kwankwaso may emerge as a running mate to Obi under a different political platform, although there has been no official confirmation from either camp.
The group also referenced Obi’s recent Eid-el-Fitr visit to Kano, where he met Kwankwaso, describing it as a symbolic political move aimed at signalling possible alignment among opposition blocs that featured prominently in the 2023 presidential election.
The group however, maintained that internal opposition dynamics could undermine any such coalition, citing the position of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who it said is unlikely to step down for either Obi or Kwankwaso.
According to the group, ongoing activities within the ADC, including membership mobilisation, indicate that Atiku remains a strong contender for the party’s presidential ticket, further complicating any proposed alliance on that platform.
NDI-ABAT expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s re-election prospects, noting that the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, is expected to coordinate efforts with South-East governors to galvanise support for the president.
The group added that it had commenced mobilisation across Igbo communities nationwide, targeting 13 million votes in support of Tinubu’s re-election.
ENDS
