A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has dismissed the prospects of a proposed presidential ticket featuring Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Ganduje argued that both politicians lacked the governance records and political legacy needed to win the presidency, insisting that such a ticket would struggle to gain support, particularly in Kano 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.
Questioning Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, Ganduje said the former governor had not demonstrated the leadership credentials required to lead Nigeria.
“Peter Obi was a governor in Anambra State. What did he do as a governor? What legacy did he leave as a governor?
“And from that, what other responsibility in governance did he hold where he made a mark to the extent that we believe he will be able to manage this country effectively and efficiently?” he asked.
Ganduje also criticised Kwankwaso’s political record, pointing out that the former Kano State governor did not serve two consecutive terms in office.
“Kwankwaso too, he was a governor of Kano State. He was not able to be a governor back-to-back.
“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, to return until after eight years,” he said.
The former APC chairman argued that Kwankwaso had not built a political legacy capable of persuading voters that he was prepared to serve effectively at the national level.
“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 and the people of Nigeria that he will be a successful vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
“I think that, as I earlier said, it is dead on arrival,” Ganduje said.
