NDC Explains Why Peter Obi-Kwankwaso Ticket Will Sweep The North

The The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed claims that the Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket would fail in the northern region.

the statement comes amidst criticism from the former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, that Obi would struggle to attract northern votes.

Speaking with Punch, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, described Obi’s critics as politically irrelevant.

He insisted that the North had gone past the era when one person could appear on air and discredit another based on religion or ethnicity.

Abdulsalam argued that northern voters would base their decisions on the prevailing economic and security situation rather than ethnic or religious sentiments.

Abdulsalam said, “Everybody is a witness to what is happening in the country today: the level of insecurity, especially in the North. If Peter Obi has the magic wand to turn things around, then it is not for them to define his fate.

“It is the masses who will come out en masse to vote for their choice. And I can tell you that the mistake of 2023 cannot be repeated. So, by merely coming out to discredit the personality of Peter Obi, saying the O-K (Obi-Kwankwaso) ticket is not sellable is a waste of time. Are they the ones who own the market where we plan to sell the candidacy of Peter Obi? No, they don’t own the market.”

He added that the party would unveil its northern mobilisation strategy “at the right time,” while intensifying engagements with labour groups, civil society organisations and the electorate ahead of the 2027 polls.

“Very soon, we will begin to engage with the electorate. We will begin to discuss how we can salvage this country. We will sell our candidates, and they will be bought by the people. Mind you, it doesn’t mean that those who go to the market early will get home first. No, let’s allow them to have their say, and we will have our way at the right time,” he stated.

Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed claims that the Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket would fail in the northern region.

the statement comes amidst criticism from the former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, that Obi would struggle to attract northern votes.

Speaking with Punch, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, described Obi’s critics as politically irrelevant.

He insisted that the North had gone past the era when one person could appear on air and discredit another based on religion or ethnicity.

Abdulsalam argued that northern voters would base their decisions on the prevailing economic and security situation rather than ethnic or religious sentiments.

Abdulsalam said, “Everybody is a witness to what is happening in the country today: the level of insecurity, especially in the North. If Peter Obi has the magic wand to turn things around, then it is not for them to define his fate.

“It is the masses who will come out en masse to vote for their choice. And I can tell you that the mistake of 2023 cannot be repeated. So, by merely coming out to discredit the personality of Peter Obi, saying the O-K (Obi-Kwankwaso) ticket is not sellable is a waste of time. Are they the ones who own the market where we plan to sell the candidacy of Peter Obi? No, they don’t own the market.”

He added that the party would unveil its northern mobilisation strategy “at the right time,” while intensifying engagements with labour groups, civil society organisations and the electorate ahead of the 2027 polls.

“Very soon, we will begin to engage with the electorate. We will begin to discuss how we can salvage this country. We will sell our candidates, and they will be bought by the people. Mind you, it doesn’t mean that those who go to the market early will get home first. No, let’s allow them to have their say, and we will have our way at the right time,” he stated.

The party’s reaction follows remarks by former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, who reportedly questioned the ticket’s electoral prospects in the region.

Speaking in an interview with Punch, the NDC’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, described critics of the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance as politically insignificant.

According to him, northern voters are no longer influenced by politicians who attempt to shape public opinion through ethnic or religious narratives.

Abdulsalam maintained that the electorate would instead assess candidates based on their ability to address the country’s pressing challenges, particularly insecurity and economic hardship.

“Everyone can see the current situation in the country, especially the worsening insecurity across the North. If Peter Obi has what it takes to change the situation, it is not for his critics to decide his political fate,” he said.

He argued that the outcome of the election would ultimately be determined by Nigerians at the ballot box, insisting that voters would make their choices independently.

“The people will come out in large numbers to vote for the candidate they believe in. I can confidently say that the mistakes made in 2023 will not be repeated. Simply trying to discredit Peter Obi or claiming the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket is not marketable is an exercise in futility. They do not own the political space where we intend to present our candidates,” Abdulsalam stated.

The NDC spokesman also disclosed that the party would unveil its strategy for mobilising support in Northern Nigeria at the appropriate time.

He added that the party was preparing to deepen engagement with labour unions, civil society organisations, and grassroots voters as part of its campaign efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Before long, we will begin extensive engagements with Nigerians on how to rescue the country. We will present our candidates and our programmes to the people, and they will decide. Going to the market early does not necessarily mean you will return home first. Others may speak now, but we will make our own case at the right time,” he added.