Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed has cast doubt on the prospects of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso emerging as Peter Obi’s running mate in the 2027 presidential race, citing the former Kano governor’s towering political profile and influence.
In an interview with Channels Television monitored by The News Chronicle, Baba-Ahmed described Kwankwaso as a seasoned political heavyweight whose decades-long career makes the idea of a deputy role unlikely.
He pointed to Kwankwaso’s extensive résumé, spanning roles as Deputy Speaker in 1990, two-term Governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence, and Senator, alongside his academic credentials, including a PhD.
According to Baba-Ahmed, Kwankwaso’s political clout, particularly in Kano, one of Nigeria’s most populous and politically strategic states, places him in a league where accepting a subordinate position may conflict with both his stature and ambitions.
“You have an ex-governor like Kwankwaso, nearly 70, with a long history of leadership. His influence in Kano alone is massive,” Baba-Ahmed said. “He is like an armoured tank without a firing pin, powerful in presence but constrained. The idea that he would deputize Peter Obi raises serious questions.”
Despite his reservations, Baba-Ahmed did not entirely dismiss the possibility of collaboration, noting that political alliances are often shaped by evolving interests and strategic calculations.
