Obi-Kwankwaso ticket ‘dead on arrival’ in Kano – Ganduje

Abdullahi Ganduje, former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says a Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) would not succeed in Kano in the 2027 general election.

Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, Ganduje, who is also a former governor of Kano, said the ticket lacks the political strength and governance record needed to win support in the state.

“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,” he said.

He questioned Obi’s record while he served as governor of Anambra state, arguing that his term in office did not demonstrate the experience required 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?” Ganduje asked.

“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?”

The former APC chairman also criticised Kwankwaso’s political record in Kano, noting that he did not secure consecutive terms as governor.

“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.”

Ganduje said Kwankwaso had not left a legacy capable of convincing voters that he could effectively serve as Nigeria’s 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?” he added.

“I think that, as I earlier said, is dead on arrival.”