Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has said Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso lack the political track record and governance legacy needed to win the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Ganduje dismissed speculation about a possible Obi-Kwankwaso presidential ticket under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), insisting it would fail to attract support, particularly in Kano 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 questioned Obi’s performance during his tenure as governor of Anambra State, arguing that the former governor had not demonstrated the leadership credentials required to govern Nigeria.
“Peter Obi was a governor in Anambra State. What did he do as a governor? What legacy did he leave as a governor?
“And from that, what other responsibility in governance did he hold where he made a mark to the extent that we believe he will be able to manage this country effectively and efficiently?” he asked.
The former APC chairman also criticised Kwankwaso’s political record, noting that he did not serve two consecutive terms as governor of Kano State.
According to Ganduje, unlike former governors Ibrahim Shekarau and himself, who each completed two back-to-back terms, Kwankwaso returned to office only after an eight-year gap.
“Kwankwaso too, he was a governor of Kano State. He was not able to be a governor back-to-back.
“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, to return until after eight years.”
Ganduje maintained that Kwankwaso had not built a legacy capable of convincing Nigerians that he could effectively serve at the national level.
“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 and the people of Nigeria that he will be a successful vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
“I think that, as I earlier said, it is dead on arrival.”
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