Former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso says he is strategising with Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“Peter Obi and I have discussed a lot of ways we can tackle insecurity. I have worked together with people across the board, and I am sure of my capacity,” Mr Kwankwaso said in an ARISE TV interview on Monday. “If the party decides that I will be anybody’s running mate from the South, I am ready.”

The former Kano governor vowed to work with Mr Obi or anyone who emerges as the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

Mr Kwankwaso further clarified that the NDC zoned its presidential ticket to the southern region to address the long-standing political tensions associated with power rotation.

“Right from day one, we sat down together, and we looked at the situation on the ground in the country, and we decided to take a major decision, including zoning the presidency to the South for four years, and after that, the presidency will return to the North.

“We believe that the best place to take it is to the South so that we can eliminate the confusion that emanated from the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

“What is key now is not the presidency from the North or South, but rather to have quality leadership, people who are enthusiastic, determined and committed to give the country the leadership it deserves,” Mr Kwankwaso explained.

The politician, however, criticised governors across the country for relying on President Bola Tinubu to win next year’s elections.

“Our governors have made so much mistakes. I can tell you that all the governors are relying on Bola Ahmed Tinubu to win the elections. I can tell you that things have changed. Northerners no longer want rice or chicken like the other party does,” Mr Kwankwaso stated.

Messrs Obi and Kwankwaso recently joined the NDC from the African Democratic Congress. The politicians are likely to be the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively.