Ex- President Olusegun Obasanjo is throwing his weight behind presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general election, according to his former political adviser, Akin Osuntokun.
He made the revelation during an interview on ARISE News, where he dismissed suggestions that Obasanjo was secretly supporting President Bola Tinubu’s reported second-term ambition.
According to him, the former president has instead played a central role in bringing Obi and Kwankwaso together under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). “If you can say that Obasanjo is supporting any ticket, it is the Peter Obi–Kwankwaso ticket.
As a matter of fact, he is the principal sponsor of that ticket,” Osuntokun said.Executive Branch
He argued that claims linking Obasanjo to Tinubu’s political plans were inconsistent with the former president’s recent actions. “So how do you then suggest that he is secretly working for Tinubu? It does not make sense to me. I think that claim is absolute bunkum,” he added.
Osuntokun also claimed that Obasanjo personally facilitated discussions between Obi and Kwankwaso, describing both politicians as being close to the former President.
“He was the one who brought the two men together. He brokered the ticket between Obi and Kwankwaso. Both of them are quite close to him,” he said.Africans & Diaspora
He also expressed confidence in the alliance, describing it as a stronger and more viable ticket than the one presented during the 2023 presidential election.
According to Osuntokun, the combination of Obi’s national appeal and Kwankwaso’s political influence, particularly in northern Nigeria, could significantly boost the opposition’s chances in the 2027 presidential race.
Reflecting on previous political negotiations, he noted that Obi and Kwankwaso could have formed an alliance before the 2023 election.
“Kwankwaso could have teamed up with Obi four years ago. I remember him saying that if they had agreed then, they would probably have had an arrangement in which they would each spend one term in office,” he said.
Osuntokun concluded that the Obi-Kwankwaso partnership is “a much more realistic, more compelling ticket” and has the potential to make a significant impact in the 2027 general elections.
