A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has called on Nigerians to rise above ethnic and religious sentiments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview with Trust TV on Sunday, the former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) said national unity and inclusiveness would be crucial in shaping the country’s political future.
Kwankwaso stressed that no region or religious group could achieve political success in isolation, noting that cooperation across different parts of the country remained essential.
“We must look beyond tribe and religion. We are Northerners and Muslims, and everybody knows that, but we can’t play politics without Christians, Southeast, South-South or South-west,” he said.
The former Kano State governor also praised former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing him as one of the country’s most influential political figures with support cutting across regions.
“If you look at it, Peter Obi is a very popular politician in the entire South and many parts of Northern Nigeria, and you cannot take that from him, the same with the Kwankwasiyya movement,” Kwankwaso stated.
He further highlighted the growing influence of the Kwankwasiyya movement, attributing its strength largely to young Nigerians seeking improved opportunities and better governance.
“We are lucky that our supporters are mainly young men and women who are looking for a way out. They are not looking for their brothers or their sisters or somebody close,” he added.
