Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has dismissed the chances of a proposed Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket in the 2027 general election, insisting it would fail to secure support in Kano State.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, the former Kano State governor described the reported Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ticket as “dead on arrival”, arguing that neither Obi nor Kwankwaso has the political record or governance legacy to convince voters.
“I don’t think Peter Obi and Kwankwaso’s ticket will succeed in Kano. It will not succeed. In fact, it is dead on arrival,” Ganduje said.
Questioning Obi’s performance as governor of Anambra State, Ganduje asked what achievements the former governor recorded that would qualify him to lead Nigeria.
“Because Peter Obi was a governor in the south-east geopolitical zone, a governor in Anambra state. What did he do as a governor? What legacy did he leave as a governor?
“And from that, what other responsibility in governance did he hold that he made a mark to the extent that we believe he will be able to manage this country effectively and efficiently?” he asked.
Ganduje also criticised Kwankwaso’s political career, noting that the former Kano governor did not serve two consecutive terms in office.
“Kwankwaso too, he was a governor of Kano state. He was not able to be a governor back-to-back,” he said.
“So far, the two other governors in Kano were able to win elections back-to-back. Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau was able to spend eight years straight. Myself, I was able to spend eight years straight.
“But he was not able, after the first term, he was not able to make it until after eight years, then he was able to come back.”
The former APC chairman further argued that Kwankwaso had not left a legacy that would persuade Kano voters or Nigerians that he could effectively serve as vice-president.
“So I don’t think, even in Kano, what legacy specifically can you say that he has left in Kano that will convince the people of Kano, will convince the people of Nigeria that he will be a successful vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?” Ganduje said.
“I think that, as I earlier said, is dead on arrival.”
The remarks come amid growing political realignments and speculation over possible opposition alliances ahead of the 2027 general election.
