The Kwankwasiyya Movement, which supports Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has backed the alliance between its leader and Peter Obi on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), news.ng reports.
Recall that this news platform last Sunday reported that Kwankwaso joined Obi as they were received at the NDC office in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, shortly after the former Anambra State Governor announced his defection from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Meanwhile, the Kwankwasiyya Movement, in a lengthy statement on X on Friday, said there is unprecedented acceptance of a possible partnership between the two political figures in the country, a move the movement suggests is a reflection of a new direction.
Amid the recent development, there have been divergent opinions and attacks from sections of the northern political establishment aimed at undermining the alignment between Obi and Kwankwaso.
However, the group believes that the alignment has the potential to change the country’s political trajectory.
According to the group, “While Nigerians across regions, religions, and political divides have largely welcomed the development as a positive step toward national unity and democratic consolidation, it is unfortunate that some commentators, particularly from sections of the Northern political establishment, have resorted to selective attacks and misleading narratives aimed specifically at discrediting Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
“What appears to be troubling certain interests is not merely the possibility of political cooperation, but the enormous national potential such an alliance represents,” the statement said.
“For the first time in recent political history, Nigerians are witnessing the realistic possibility of a broad-based political understanding capable of bridging the long-standing regional divide in opposition politics. Senator Kwankwaso commands one of the most disciplined and organic grassroots political structures in Northern Nigeria, particularly across Kano and the Northwest, while Peter Obi continues to enjoy massive support among youths, urban voters, and large sections of Southern Nigeria.”
The movement, while defending Kwankwaso’s choice of aligning himself with Obi under the NDC ahead of the 2027 elections, noted that the former Kano State Governor’s rise to political fame was not manufactured by the media but was built through years of active politics and a strong grassroots presence.
The movement frowned at attempts to downgrade Kwankwaso’s political relevance, insisting that the move is in line with the yearnings of Nigerians who are advocating for issue-based politics and leaders with foresight.
“His political relevance is not manufactured by media houses or sustained by access to federal power. It is rooted in years of service, grassroots connection, and the trust of millions of Nigerians, especially among the youth and lower-income population.
“The Kwankwasiyya Movement therefore rejects the ongoing attempt to reduce a potentially historic national political alignment into petty elite propaganda and personality attacks.
“Nigeria today faces enormous economic, security, and governance challenges. Citizens are increasingly demanding issue-based politics, national inclusion, competent leadership, and a credible alternative capable of restoring hope and confidence in the democratic process,” it stated.
The movement, therefore, called for fair and balanced political discourse to foster alignment rather than create a hostile atmosphere.
“We urge commentators and political stakeholders to embrace fairness, maturity, and national interest in their engagements. Democracy thrives through coalition-building, inclusion, and healthy political competition — not through selective hostility and orchestrated narratives targeted at individuals whose growing acceptance threatens established interests,” it added.
