Obi-Kwankwaso alliance gives NDC stronger footing, says activist
A member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Aisha Yesufu, has said the economic hardship confronting Nigerians could play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the 2027 presidential election, arguing that voters are increasingly more concerned about their economic wellbeing than religious considerations.
Yesufu, while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, expressed confidence that the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would have an easier task in the 2027 election than he did in 2023.
She attributed the expected advantage to the growing national visibility of Obi, the groundwork already laid by his supporters during the 2023 election and the alliance between the Obidient movement and supporters of former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
According to her, the 2023 election provided the foundation for Obi’s political movement, while subsequent activities have helped expand his support base across the country.
“2027 is even easier than 2023. 2023, you know, you had to put in all that work, ‘let’s start it and see.’”
Yesufu said the 2023 presidential campaign helped many Nigerians realise that an alternative political movement could gain significant nationwide support, adding that Obi’s visibility had increased considerably since the election.
She further argued that the alliance between Obi and Kwankwaso would bring together two major support bases and strengthen the NDC’s chances in the next presidential election.
“We have this alliance that has come between the Obidients and the Kwankwasiya, and you are seeing Mr Peter Obi’s running mate, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, bringing in a whole lot into the union.”
The activist said the combination of the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya movements could provide the NDC with a broader political structure ahead of the 2027 election, particularly by bringing together supporters from different parts of the country.
Yesufu also identified the rising cost of living and economic hardship as issues she believes could significantly influence voters when Nigerians head to the polls.
She argued that Nigerians were becoming increasingly conscious of the practical impact of government policies on their daily lives, suggesting that economic concerns could outweigh religious sentiments during the election.
According to her, Nigerians facing economic difficulties would be more interested in policies that improve their living conditions than political calculations based on religion.
She specifically questioned the electoral significance of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, arguing that religious considerations would not solve the economic problems confronting ordinary Nigerians.
“Everybody has seen it. Religion is not going to put food on your table.”
Yesufu’s argument comes against the backdrop of the 2023 presidential election, in which Obi, then the Labour Party candidate, polled about 6.1 million votes to finish third behind Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, who secured about 6.9 million votes, and President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, who won with about 8.7 million votes.
However, Yesufu maintained that the political environment ahead of 2027 was different from that of 2023, insisting that Obi now had a more established national support base.
She said the Obidient movement had already demonstrated its organisational capacity and created awareness around Obi’s political platform, making the task of mobilising support less difficult than it was before the 2023 election.
YESUFU DEFENDS OBI OVER BENUE INCIDENT
The activist also defended Obi over the incident in Benue State where his convoy was reportedly stopped by youths while he was travelling along the Gboko-Makurdi road to Yelwata, where he was scheduled to visit communities and families affected by recent violence.
The incident had generated reactions, with some critics questioning why Obi did not proceed with his planned visit to Yelwata.
Yesufu dismissed suggestions that the decision to discontinue the journey was motivated by fear, describing it instead as a strategic decision taken in the circumstances.
She said Obi had demonstrated courage by visiting communities affected by insecurity and maintained that there was no reason to expose himself or his entourage to unnecessary confrontation.
“There is no politician in Nigeria that is as courageous as Mr Peter Gregory Obi.”
She cited Obi’s previous visits to communities affected by insecurity while contrasting his movements with those of other political leaders.
Yesufu specifically referenced Yelwata and Jos, arguing that Obi had shown a willingness to visit troubled areas despite security challenges.
However, while making the comparison, she acknowledged uncertainty about one aspect of her claim regarding President Bola Tinubu’s previous visit to Jos.
She maintained that Obi’s decision to withdraw from the immediate confrontation in Benue should be understood as a strategic move rather than an indication of weakness.
“There is a place where someone has to be strategic. You have a lot of things to do, so if you are fighting people who don’t have work, it doesn’t make any sense at that moment.”
The comments come as political parties and emerging alliances begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the opposition landscape increasingly shaped by efforts to consolidate political support across regional, ethnic and ideological lines.
For Yesufu, the combination of an established Obi support base, the Kwankwasiyya movement and growing voter dissatisfaction over economic conditions could make the 2027 presidential contest substantially different from the 2023 election.
