A former member of the House of Representatives and chieftain of the New Nigeria People Party, Abdulmumin Jibrin, says the best route for the south east region to become Nigeria’s president is for Peter Obi to be running mate to Rabiu Kwankwaso in the 2023 presidential election.
Speaking in an interview on Channels TV, Jibrin said that the people of the region will be wasting their votes if they decide to present a presidential candidate through the Labour Party.
“Since the Vice President of Alex Rkwueme, the South East has not sat on the table to discuss the presidency in real term to take over the Presidency of Nigeria.
“They’ve never been given that opportunity. This is the first time they will sit at the table with the NNPP to discuss, and sign a concrete agreement that after Kwankwaso, it’s going to be the Eastern part of the country.
“Since after Alex Ekwueme, this will be the first time the South East will have that clarity that after this certain number of years it will be our time.
“And I believe that that is the safest route. But again they have the option to decide to hold on to their votes or waste them if they want to demonstrate their strength.
“The Yorubas have done that for decades…I believe that one of the safest routes for them is to go into alliance with the NNPP for Peter Obi to run as a running mate and after that power can go back to the South-East… the vote for the Labour Party cannot give them the presidency. So if it is in terms of the presidency they may decide to waste their votes.”
He also put the bed the speculations that the NNPP presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, will be running mate to Labour Party’s Peter Obi if the merger between the two parties works out.
“Very clearly, Kwankwaso will not be the running mate to Peter Obi. By every standard, Kwankwaso should be the presidential candidate,” the NNPP chieftain said.
“Kwankwaso has more political exposure and experience. He has a bigger profile when it comes to that (political exposure). He has more experience politically on how to win the election.
“At the end of the day, when you look at the equity contribution in terms of votes, it will be a ratio of about 70 to 30 per cent. We are looking at bringing 70 per cent of the contributions. Even if it is business – Peter Obi is experienced in business – he knows that whoever is bringing the larger percentage of the equity is expected to stay on board.”
