Politics is about building bridges and mending fences especially at a time when the general election is fast approaching. The emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari as presidential flag bearer of APC in 2014 with his subsequent victory at the polling units is a testimony to that fact.
The G5 and their nPDP, Buhari and his CPC as well as Tinubu and his ACN collectively played critical roles in the success of APC against the then sitting president. None of them could have done it solely without the support of others.
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The South East has been crying of political marginalisation for a long time and support for Peter Obi’s candidature is gathering momentum especially among the youth of the region.
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano is the most influential politician in the state and has lots of followers in the neighbouring states in the North West. He carved a niche for himself as a supporter of youth, masses and a transformational leader. His educational policy as governor of the state as well as his mega projects has endeared him to not only the people of the state but many others across northern Nigeria.
A combination of Kwankwaso and Peter Obi, if finally settled, would be a force to reckon in the 2023 election. Both leaders are younger than their counterparts in APC and PDP and they all have track records of performance as former governors. Traditionally, South East votes PDP but the absence of running mate from the region and emergence of Peter Obi under a different political party constitute a serious threat to its electoral fortune in the region.
Conversely, the North West has been largely under the control of APC but the lack of Buhari factor in the 2023 general election is a big blow in the political nose of APC.
Kwankwaso is acceptable to most people in the North. Therefore, the duo could significantly reduce the votes of APC and PDP in the regions. Additionally, it would be the first time Kwankwaso would test his popularity at national level.
Furthermore, there was no formal inter-party alliance between the South East and North West since commencement of the current political dispensation. Therefore, the new merger could be a good opportunity to mend fences and huge political investment for the two leaders.
Abdullahi Sadiq Mohammed
