Nigerians Eyeing Obi-Kwankwaso Joint Ticket – NNPP
BY EDMOND ODOK – With momentum building around the emergence of a true third force on the Nigerian political scene, pressures are seriously mounting on the Labour Party and the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) to urgently midwife a strong rallying point against the established parties ahead of the 2023 elections.
Amid the heightening speculations, the possible joint ticket between Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is being touted by some stakeholders as the new order needed to silence the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Giving credence to ongoing political engagement, Kwankwaso told BBC Hausa Service that his party, the NNPP is in talks for a potential merger with Peter Obi’s Labour Party.
The former Kano State Governor, who is the NNPP’s presidential candidate confirmed on Saturday that discussions with the Labour Party and its flag bearer have progressed on the possibility of forming a coalition for next year’s polls.
According to him; “It is true we are in talks with Peter Obi and a committee is working to look into how to form a merger between us.
“Friends and family are currently up and doing talking about the merger arrangement. The merger is important because as you can see both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not pick their running mates from the South-east.”
For now, all eyes are on the former Defence Minister’s NNPP with its large following in the north, particularly the North-west states of Kano and Jigawa, and Mr Obi, who recently dumped the PDP for Labour Party, is creating waves and has continued to endear himself to large youth following in the south and across the country.
