Rabiu Kwankwaso says Northern leaders are ready to work with the South-East, urging unity, forgiveness and cooperation ahead of 2027
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso has said Northern leaders are ready to rebuild political cooperation with the South-East ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Kwankwaso made the remarks during an interview with BBC Igbo, where he called for forgiveness and unity among Nigeria’s major regions, stressing that historical differences should not prevent political collaboration.
The former Kano State governor said the relationship between Northern and South-Eastern leaders had previously been built on alliances and mutual understanding before being disrupted by political changes and the civil war.
“We have to forgive ourselves and work together as one family. The South-East has been our ally and friend over the years,” Kwankwaso said.
He recalled political partnerships during Nigeria’s First Republic, including the alliance between the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) and the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), led by prominent leaders such as Sir Ahmadu Bello and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.
Kwankwaso also highlighted the emergence of Alex Ekwueme as Nigeria’s first elected civilian Vice President in the Second Republic as an example of cooperation between different regions.
According to him, Nigerian politics had previously allowed leaders to move beyond past conflicts and focus on national development.
He cited the return of former Biafran leader Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu to mainstream politics after the civil war as another example of reconciliation, noting that Ojukwu later contested and won a Senate ticket.
“We can’t be in the same country and start fighting. We need to have the spirit of forgiveness,” he said.
Kwankwaso stressed that any alliance between the North and South-East should not be viewed as opposition to other regions, including the South-West.
“That does not mean that we are fighting South-West or any zone in this country. We are all friends,” he added.
The politician warned against using religious and regional identities as the foundation of political campaigns, arguing that Nigeria’s current challenges require broader cooperation among citizens and leaders.
“You can’t play politics of Muslim-Christian, North or South, at this level,” Kwankwaso said.
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His comments come as political parties and potential candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, with alliances and regional partnerships expected to play a major role in shaping the contest.
