The presidential candidate of the NDC, Peter Obi, has announced former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
Obi made the announcement on Saturday shortly after being officially confirmed as the party’s presidential candidate ahead of the general election.
The development followed the NDC presidential primary, where Obi emerged as the party’s flagbearer.
Both Obi and Kwankwaso recently joined the NDC after exiting the , citing internal disagreements and prolonged legal disputes within the party.
Political observers believe the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket could significantly reshape the 2027 presidential contest by uniting two prominent opposition figures with strong support bases across different regions of the country.
Obi continues to enjoy widespread popularity among young voters and maintains strong support in the South-East and parts of the South-South, while Kwankwaso remains an influential political figure in Kano and across sections of Northern Nigeria through the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Party leaders expressed confidence that the alliance would strengthen the NDC’s chances in the next presidential election, describing the ticket as a strategic partnership capable of attracting broad national support.
Further details of the party’s campaign plans are expected to be unveiled in the coming months as preparations for the 2027 elections gather pace.
Atiku Consults Stakeholders On Vice Presidential Candidate
Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the , Atiku Abubakar, has begun extensive consultations across the country as he seeks to select a running mate for the 2027 general election.
According to sources close to the campaign, the search for a vice-presidential candidate is ongoing, with no final decision reached.
Atiku secured the ADC presidential ticket after polling 1,855,787 votes during the party’s primary election, defeating former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, who received 509,397 votes, and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, who scored 180,903 votes.
Since the conclusion of the primary, attention within opposition circles has shifted to the selection of a running mate, a move many political analysts regard as one of the most important strategic decisions facing the campaign.
Sources familiar with the process said Atiku is personally leading consultations with key stakeholders across various political blocs and geopolitical zones in Southern Nigeria.
Rotimi Amaechi and Donald Duke Emerge as Leading Contenders
Among the names reportedly under consideration is Amaechi, who finished second in the ADC primary.
Although Amaechi has publicly denied reports that he was offered the vice-presidential slot, insiders within the opposition coalition said his name remains under active consideration.
Supporters of his candidacy argue that he brings significant political experience, having served two terms as governor of Rivers State, alongside a strong political presence in the South-South region.
However, campaign officials are said to be carefully evaluating his public criticism of the primary process and concerns he raised about the conduct of the election.
Another prominent figure being considered is former Cross River State governor Donald Duke, who joined the ADC in January 2026 after leaving the PDP.
Sources within the campaign described Duke as a respected political figure with a strong administrative record and relatively low negative ratings among Southern voters.
Duke governed Cross River State from 1999 to 2007 and is widely recognised for several developmental initiatives undertaken during his tenure.
Nonetheless, some members of Atiku’s camp have reportedly expressed reservations over Duke’s previous public comments questioning Atiku’s repeated presidential ambitions.
South-East Figures Also Under Consideration
Beyond the South-South, Atiku’s team is also considering potential candidates from the South-East, a region viewed as politically significant due to its strong voter mobilisation history.
Sources indicated that consultations involving prominent South-East political figures are ongoing.
One of the names reportedly attracting attention is former Imo State governor Emeka Ihedioha.
Ihedioha, whose governorship tenure ended following a Supreme Court ruling in 2020, is believed to retain considerable goodwill across the South-East and is viewed by some within the campaign as a candidate who could energise voters in the region while presenting limited political risks nationally.
The search for a running mate follows a pattern established in Atiku’s previous presidential campaigns. In 2019, he selected Peter Obi from the South-East as his running mate under the PDP platform, while in 2023 he chose Ifeanyi Okowa from the South-South.
Current indications suggest the ADC candidate is once again focusing on the South-East and South-South zones, with no signs that the South-West is being considered for the vice-presidential position.
The selection process comes as the party continues to manage an ongoing leadership dispute that has been taken to court, adding another layer of complexity to preparations for the 2027 election.
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