2027: Kwankwaso Will Be Partner as VP, Not Spare Tyre – Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has pledged that Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso will serve as his vice president “as a partner, not a spare tyre” if they win the 2027 general elections.

Obi made the commitment in his acceptance speech following his nomination as the NDC presidential candidate, a statement he shared on his official social media account on Sunday. He had formally announced Kwankwaso as his running mate a day earlier.

Both Obi and Kwankwaso were contenders in the last presidential election, finishing third and fourth respectively behind former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Tinubu, who won the race. Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, ran under the New Nigeria Peoples Party and secured victory only in Kano, where he maintains strong political influence.

In his speech, Obi described his emergence as a call to national service and pledged to pursue what he called a “New Nigeria” founded on unity, security, economic reform, and accountable governance. He thanked party leaders, including National Chairman Seriake Dickson, as well as the National Working Committee and party supporters across the country.

Obi said Nigeria is at a “crucial juncture, enveloped in uncertainty,” pointing to rising insecurity, economic hardship, and declining public trust in governance. He warned against ethnic, religious, and regional divisions, insisting that Nigeria’s diversity must become a strength rather than a source of conflict.

On security, he noted that Nigeria’s global terrorism impact ranking had worsened from 8th most affected nation in 2022 to 4th in 2026. He recalled Nigeria’s past contributions to international peacekeeping missions and argued that the country must address insecurity with resolve and urgency, adding that the primary responsibility of government is to safeguard lives and property.

Obi also outlined policy commitments in healthcare, education, agriculture, energy, and unemployment. He said only 10 to 20 percent of about 30,000 primary healthcare centres are operational, and he pledged to raise health insurance coverage to over 20 percent within four years while increasing healthcare funding to at least 10 percent of GDP.

On education, he promised to prioritise investment in human capital, schools, teachers, and vocational training. On agriculture, he cited World Food Programme projections that over 35 million Nigerians face acute food insecurity this year, arguing that Nigeria’s uncultivated land must be transformed through investment.

Regarding energy, he said Nigeria generates about 4,000 megawatts for over 200 million people, far below comparable countries, and pledged to increase generation by at least 10,000 megawatts within four years. On unemployment, he said true joblessness and underemployment exceed 30 percent, with youth unemployment above 40 percent, and promised support for micro, small and medium enterprises.

Obi also pledged to reduce corruption and governance costs, strengthen the rule of law, and deepen democratic institutions.

“I will make democracy work and the Vice President will be a partner, not a spare tyre,” he said. “I hereby accept my affirmation and nominate Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso as my Vice President.”