APC Unfazed by Proposed Obi-Kwankwaso Alliance Ahead of 2027 Presidential Election

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed confidence that it remains unthreatened by the potential alliance between Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) ahead of the 2027 presidential election. According to Bala Ibrahim, the APC National Publicity Director, the proposed alliance will likely fail, just as it did prior to the 2023 presidential election.

In an interview with the Press, Ibrahim pointed out that the inability of Obi and Kwankwaso to trust each other would remain a significant obstacle. He emphasized that both leaders have a singular ambition—to become the next President of Nigeria—and neither would be willing to sacrifice their dream to support the other. “These are strange bedfellows who can’t sleep in the same room,” Ibrahim remarked, implying that personal ambitions and ego would continue to hinder any possibility of a successful alliance.

Obi-Kwankwaso Alliance: A Repeat of 2023 Challenges

The potential partnership between Obi and Kwankwaso first gained attention when the duo tried to join forces ahead of the 2023 presidential election. However, the proposal collapsed, and both leaders eventually ran separate campaigns. Despite this setback, discussions of a renewed alliance for 2027 have resurfaced, following comments made by Kwankwaso in a recent post.

Kwankwaso indicated that he would consider becoming Obi’s running mate in 2027 if certain conditions were met. While the Labour Party’s National Secretary, Umar Farouk, described the offer as “welcome,” he cautioned that it would only work if Kwankwaso was “humble enough” to accept a secondary position to Obi. Nonetheless, APC’s Bala Ibrahim remains skeptical that such an alliance would materialize, citing the same factors that doomed their previous attempt—namely, a lack of trust and unwillingness to compromise.

APC Sees No Threat in the Obi-Kwankwaso Alliance

APC officials, including Ibrahim, are dismissive of any threat posed by a potential opposition alliance. He likened the repeated efforts to create this alliance to a scientific experiment, asserting that “the results cannot be expected to change unless the factor responsible for that result changes.” For Ibrahim, the biggest factor that stands in the way of a successful partnership between Obi and Kwankwaso is their mutual distrust and competing ambitions.

The APC spokesperson further noted that, from his party’s perspective, any talk of an opposition alliance is merely noise. “It is also the ranting of a party destined for doom,” Ibrahim said, emphasizing the APC’s confidence in its chances for victory in 2027. According to him, the APC is making significant progress on the political scene, and the opposition’s inability to form a coherent alliance is unlikely to change that trajectory.

PDP’s Position on a Possible Opposition Merger

While the APC remains unconcerned, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has shown openness to the idea of an opposition alliance. A PDP spokesperson indicated that the party would support any talks aimed at forming a coalition to challenge the APC’s grip on power. The PDP believes that a united front, whether led by Peter Obi, Kwankwaso, or the PDP itself, is essential to “liberate Nigerians from the current hardship” caused by the APC-led government.

According to the PDP, it is crucial for opposition parties to close ranks and work together to salvage the country from the perceived failures of the APC administration. With 13 governors under its control and the FCT under the leadership of former PDP Governor Nyesom Wike, the PDP considers itself the leading opposition force in Nigeria. As discussions of alliances continue, the PDP is positioning itself as a central player in efforts to build a coalition capable of challenging the APC in 2027.