Early political realignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election gathered pace on Friday, February 6, 2026, as supporters of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, renewed calls for a joint North–South presidential ticket.
Speaking in Kano, the group’s leader, Abba Gwale, said loyalists of Kwankwaso were rallying support for an Obi–Kwankwaso partnership, urging Nigerians to see the proposed alliance as a strategic route to confronting worsening economic and security pressures.
He said supporters had thrown their weight behind a joint ticket on any viable political platform, pointing to shifting political currents ahead of the next general election.
Gwale said advocates of the alliance believe combining Obi’s strong southern following with Kwankwaso’s entrenched northern base could produce a formidable national coalition capable of reshaping the political equation.
He added that supporters view both leaders as aligned on key priorities, particularly tackling insecurity, economic hardship, and improving the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.
Political analysts say coalition talks have intensified in recent months as opposition figures weigh strategies to consolidate votes, broaden national appeal, and mount a stronger challenge in 2027.
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Observers note that regional balance remains central to presidential ticket calculations, placing the proposed Obi–Kwankwaso configuration among scenarios under close watch within opposition circles.
Despite the growing push, the alliance remains speculative. Neither Obi nor Kwankwaso has publicly confirmed interest in a joint ticket, and there has been no official signal from their camps that formal negotiations are underway.
The development underscores the opening phase of political maneuvering ahead of 2027, where alliances, realignments, and strategic partnerships are expected to play decisive roles in shaping the presidential contest.