A former member of the House of Representatives Abdulmumin Jibrin has ruled out speculations that Rabiu Kwankwaso will be a running mate to Peter Obi.
He said this during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics amid reports that the New Nigeria’s Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate is in talks with Obi over a planned merger.
“Very clearly, Kwankwaso will not be the running mate to Peter Obi. By every standard, Kwankwaso should be the presidential candidate,” the NNPP chieftain said during the show.
“Kwankwaso has more political exposure and experience. He has a bigger profile when it comes to that (political exposure). He has more experience politically on how to win the election.
“At the end of the day, when you look at the equity contribution in terms of votes, it will be a ratio of about 70 to 30 percent. We are looking at bringing 70 percent of the contributions. Even if it is business – Peter Obi is experienced in business – he knows that whoever is bringing the larger percentage of the equity is expected to stay on board.”
He claimed that Kwankwaso is the only politician in the northern part of Nigeria that commands huge followership like President Muhammadu Buhari, stressing that aside from Obi, the NNPP is also looking at other options.
“We are working on getting a presidential running mate,” he said, calling on the southeast region to back the NNPP.
Jubrin believes the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have betrayed the region. For this, he argues that the southeast should drum support for the NNPP.
“The southeast has been seriously backstabbed by the APC and they have been ‘front stabbed’ by the PDP. They have worked so much for the PDP. The PDP and APC have thrown away the southeast, they have said to them, ‘we don’t need you people,’” he said.
“The last time the southeast has been on the table to discuss the presidency of this country was Alex Ekwueme (Nigeria’s first elected Vice President who served from 1979 to 1983). The first opportunity they have now is with Kwankwaso. They have to think very clearly not to waste their votes. They should come and take up the running mate. This is the best opportunity for them.”
“The southeast should think clearly and rally around Kwankwaso,” Jubrin added.