Atiku, Kwankwaso’s potential alliance for 2027 general election, by Yahaya Shawai
Much attention has been drawn to the possibility of an alliance between Atiku and Kwankwaso, two prominent presidential candidates from different political parties during the 2023 elections. Viral pictures of Atiku’s visit to Kwankwaso at his residence in Abuja have sparked numerous predictions by political figures across the country.
The prediction suggests that the two politicians have made a political move in preparation for the 2027 general election. If they form an alliance, it could have a significant impact on Nigerians. Both Atiku and Kwankwaso possess political popularity and vast experience. While some may argue that Atiku has already established himself as a prominent figure, the merger between him and Kwankwaso may lead to even greater success, as the saying goes, “Two heads are better than one.”
Furthermore, some politicians predict that this alliance could shape the country’s political direction in the upcoming 2027 election. By providing voters with an alternative option, it may pave the way for positive change and progress for the nation as a whole.
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However, the potential merger may encounter several challenges. Personal interests of both individuals could affect the alliance. Additionally, there is an existing political conflict between Atiku and Kwankwaso that was initiated by certain political elites in the North West Zone. These crises arose from conflicting political interests, as discussed below.
In 2019, Kwankwaso defected from the APC to the PDP due to political conflicts with his successor, Abdullahi Ganduje, who served as his deputy between 1999-2003 and 2011-2015. Kwankwaso brought along the mass supporters of the Kwankwasiyya movement, securing 60% of the party’s executives. This forced the existing executives to step down, leading to fresh elections in which the party chairman happened to be from the Kwankwasiyya side.
During the 2019 presidential primaries, Kwankwaso expressed his interest in becoming the presidential aspirant for the PDP. After Atiku emerged as the presidential candidate, he called for Kwankwaso’s collaboration during the general election. To ensure the party’s success, Kwankwaso agreed to support Atiku’s presidential campaign, being appointed as the leader of the Atiku presidential team for the Northwest.
The journey was long and hectic, characterized by excitement and memorable moments, such as when Atiku experienced the highest crowd turnout during his campaign in the ancient city of Kano. The crowd’s overwhelming support demonstrated the influential role Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso played in the political movement within Kano State. Despite this success, after the election results were announced, granting Buhari a second term in office, certain factions within the PDP in Kano attempted to create misunderstandings between Atiku and Kwankwaso, disregarding party loyalty. These attempts were fueled by issues related to the gubernatorial candidate, Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was part of Kwankwaso’s administration as the Commissioner of Works.
In preparation for the 2023 elections, before the primaries, Aminu Wali’s faction attempted to hijack the election of the Vice Chairman in the Northwest Zone, held in Kaduna state. This incident was facilitated by former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido and the sitting governor of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal. Both chieftains did not want Kwankwaso’s faction to obtain the position, viewing it as a threat to their political influence within the Northwest Zone. They did everything possible to push Kwankwaso out of the party, believing it would secure their own political power.
Despite these challenges, Kwankwaso recently defected from the PDP to the NNPP. Many political analysts doubted his chances of succeeding with a new party so close to the election. However, to everyone’s surprise, Kwankwaso won the governorship seat in Kano under the NNPP, garnering over 120,000 votes. This victory revealed the failure of Aminu Wali’s faction to secure Kano for Atiku and the PDP, as their candidate received less than 20,000 votes.
In summary, if Atiku, Kwankwaso, and even the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, agree to form an alliance for the 2027 general election, many predict a successful outcome. However, the challenge lies in determining who will be the presidential candidate among the three aspirants. Nonetheless, considering the results of the 2023 general election, the merger of these three candidates could potentially lead to victory. Now, Nigerians eagerly await the outcome of Atiku’s visit to Kwankwaso, as it may hold the key to their collective future.