Former Labour Party (LP) vice presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed has raised doubts about the possibility of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso serving as the running mate to Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election.
During an interview on Channels Television, Baba-Ahmed spoke about Kwankwaso’s long history in politics and questioned whether someone with such experience would agree to take a deputy position.
Naija News reports that he pointed out that Kwankwaso has spent decades in public service, starting as Deputy Speaker in 1990. He later became Governor of Kano State in 1999 and served two terms. He also worked as Minister of Defence and later became a Senator. In addition to his political journey, Baba-Ahmed mentioned his academic qualification, including a PhD.
Baba-Ahmed explained that Kwankwaso’s strong political base, especially in Kano State, makes the situation more complex. Kano is one of the most populated states in Nigeria, and Kwankwaso remains a powerful figure there. Because of this, he believes it may be difficult for him to accept playing a secondary role.
He also spoke about the level of influence Kwankwaso holds and suggested that his standing in politics may not fit into a deputy position under another candidate. According to him, such a move may not match his expectations or political strength.
He said: “You have ex-Governor Kwankwaso about 70. In 1990 he was a deputy speaker, in 1999 he was a governor. He was a two-term governor, minister of defence, senator, PhD. His local government is nearly the state of Obi, the Kano State is almost the population of that region. His governor has been taken away by clever APC. He is an armored tank without a firing pin, he can only roll over any object but he cannot fire. And that he is going to deputize Peter Obi, how is that possible? But I want it to work if it will work.”