Former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has said the proposed Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) would fail to gain traction in Kano State during the 2027 general election.
Ganduje, a former governor of Kano State, made the assertion while speaking with journalists on Tuesday.
He argued that the proposed ticket lacked the political influence and governance record required to secure the support of voters in the state.
“I don’t think Peter Obi and Kwankwaso’s ticket will succeed in Kano. It will not succeed. In fact, it is dead on arrival,” he said.
Ganduje also questioned Obi’s achievements during his tenure as governor of Anambra State, saying his record did not demonstrate the level of experience needed to lead the country.
“Because Peter Obi was a governor in the south-east geopolitical zone, a governor in Anambra state. What did he do as a governor? What legacy did he leave as a governor?” Ganduje asked.
“And from that, what other responsibility in governance did he hold that he made a mark to the extent that we believe he will be able to manage this country effectively and efficiently?”
The former APC chairman also criticised Kwankwaso’s record as governor of Kano, pointing out that he did not secure consecutive terms in office.
“Kwankwaso too, he was a governor of Kano state. He was not able to be a governor back-to-back,” he said.
“So far, the two other governors in Kano were able to win elections back-to-back. Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau was able to spend eight years straight. Myself, I was able to spend eight years straight.
“But he was not able, after the first term, he was not able to make it until after eight years, then he was able to come back.”
Ganduje further argued that Kwankwaso had not established a legacy in Kano that would convince voters of his ability to serve effectively as Nigeria’s vice-president.
“So I don’t think, even in Kano, what legacy specifically can you say that he has left in Kano that will convince the people of Kano, will convince the people of Nigeria that he will be a successful vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?” he added.
“I think that, as I earlier said, is dead on arrival.”