Prominent activist and political commentator Aisha Yesufu has disclosed that she made efforts to persuade former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to become the running mate of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during the build-up to the 2023 general election.
Yesufu made the revelation while reflecting on political developments surrounding the last presidential election and the possibility of opposition unity in Nigeria. According to her, she believed a political alliance between Obi and Kwankwaso could have strengthened the opposition’s chances and created a formidable force capable of challenging the dominance of the major political parties.
The activist stated that she personally appealed to Kwankwaso to consider the vice-presidential position in the interest of building a broader coalition. However, the proposed alliance did not materialize, with both political figures eventually contesting the election separately under different platforms.
Peter Obi emerged as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, while Kwankwaso contested under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The division of opposition votes became a major topic of discussion following the election, with analysts suggesting that a united opposition front could have significantly altered the political landscape.
Yesufu’s comments have reignited conversations about coalition-building and opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections. Political observers note that discussions surrounding potential alliances among opposition leaders have intensified as parties begin strategizing for future electoral contests.
Supporters of both Obi and Kwankwaso have reacted to the revelation, with some arguing that a partnership between the two leaders could have expanded their political reach across different regions of the country. Others maintain that political ambitions, party interests, and ideological differences made such an arrangement difficult to achieve.
