By Our Regional Editor
Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, have stepped up political manoeuvres aimed at securing a joint presidential ticket under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Multiple party sources disclosed that the two political heavyweights are actively engaging influential northern leaders in a strategic push to build consensus around a proposed one-term presidency arrangement. The plan, insiders say, is designed to strengthen support for a southern candidate while addressing long-standing concerns about regional power balance.
At the heart of the consultations is a power-rotation formula that would see Obi emerge as the presidential candidate for a single term, a move being framed as a transitional compromise to stabilise the country’s zoning dynamics.
Party insiders further revealed that the initiative is part of a broader effort to realign political loyalties within the opposition bloc and potentially weaken the influence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the ADC primaries.
In recent weeks, Kwankwaso’s political network has reportedly intensified outreach to traditional rulers, opinion leaders, and key stakeholders across northern Nigeria. These engagements are said to emphasise the principle of equity, urging northern power brokers to support a southern presidency in the next electoral cycle.
Proponents of the arrangement argue that it reflects a continuation of Nigeria’s informal zoning tradition, noting that the North had previously held power for eight consecutive years before the current administration.
“What is being advocated is fairness and balance,” a party source familiar with the discussions said. “The argument is that the South should be allowed to complete its turn in the interest of national cohesion.”
While neither Obi nor Kwankwaso has publicly confirmed the specifics of the talks, the unfolding alliance signals an early and calculated attempt to reshape the political landscape ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested 2027 election.
