Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Usman Yusuf, has downplayed the chances of a political alliance between Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
Speaking on Trust TV’s Daily Politics monitored by The News Chronicle on Thursday, Yusuf said the proposed coalition lacks the political strength needed to challenge the ruling APC, insisting that the alliance would have little electoral impact nationwide.
According to him, Kwankwaso may help improve Obi’s acceptance in Northern Nigeria, but many Northern voters still have reservations about Obi’s political history and past actions.
“Kwankwaso is the vehicle to sell Peter Obi to the North, but we have the record of what Peter Obi did to Northerners,” Yusuf stated.
He argued that discussions surrounding the alliance were being exaggerated and would not significantly change the political equation ahead of the next presidential election.
“Peter Obi and Kwankwaso can pitch their tent anywhere, but they won’t make a dent,” he added.
Yusuf also warned that Kwankwaso risks weakening his political influence in the North if he becomes too closely associated with Obi.
Another political analyst, Professor Usman, also commented on the opposition realignments, saying former Vice President Atiku Abubakar remains politically stronger than both Obi and Kwankwaso combined.
“Atiku was stronger than Obi and Kwankwaso, that’s why they ran away,” he said.
Yusuf further claimed that Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election was largely made possible by support from Northern Muslim voters rather than the South-West alone.
“It wasn’t the Southwest that brought Tinubu to power, it was Northern Muslims, and they are now the ones he’s fighting,” Yusuf added.
