A public affairs analyst, Mahmud Jega, has described the decision by former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to support the zoning of the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential ticket to the South as a major political shift ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on ARISE Television’s “Prime Time” programme on Monday, Jega said Kwankwaso’s calm disposition and willingness to align with a southern presidential arrangement reflected deep political calculations and extensive consultations with his supporters, particularly in Kano State, one of the country’s most influential political strongholds.
According to Jega, the former Kano State governor appears to have weighed the political implications of backing a southern candidate despite being one of the most prominent northern politicians with a loyal support base. He noted that Kwankwaso’s decision could signal an emerging alliance capable of reshaping opposition politics ahead of the next presidential election.
“You had a very interesting interview with him and raised many very important issues in national politics today. He must be looking over his shoulders,” Jega said during the interview.
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He explained that many Nigerians have always viewed Kwankwaso as an aggressive and highly energetic political figure, making his calm and measured tone during the interview particularly noteworthy.
“Normally, the impression people have of him is an aggressive, very active, tough fellow, but today he was extremely calm and indeed considerate,” he stated.
Jega further observed that the growing influence of young voters and social media conversations may have contributed to Kwankwaso’s cautious political approach, especially as political leaders increasingly depend on public sentiment and online support to sustain relevance.
“As he kept saying about the youth and social media, are they likely to follow? Because what is the use of pulling forward if the followers are not following?” he asked.
Despite concerns over whether grassroots supporters would fully embrace the new political direction, Jega maintained that Kwankwaso possesses one of the strongest political structures in northern Nigeria and would not have taken such a significant step without broad consultations and assurances from loyalists.
He said the former presidential candidate likely secured indications that a substantial portion of his supporters would align with the proposed coalition arrangement and support the broader opposition movement being formed under the NDC platform.
“But he has a very solid structure, and he must have consulted very well, and he must have gotten an indication that most of his supporters are likely to go ahead,” Jega added.
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The analyst said the latest development appears to point toward the possibility of a joint political ticket involving former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and Kwankwaso, an alliance many observers believe could significantly alter Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of 2027.
“So, it’s like we are pushing towards an Obi-Kwankwaso ticket,” he said.
The comments come amid increasing discussions among opposition figures seeking broader political alliances to challenge the ruling establishment in the next election cycle. Kwankwaso’s acceptance of a southern presidential ticket is already generating debate within northern political circles, where zoning and regional balance remain highly sensitive issues.
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