A prominent Northern youth group has rejected the proposed political alliance between Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The Northern Youths Assembly described the alliance as a betrayal of the political values and interests of the Northern region.
In a statement issued on Friday, June 5, the group’s Secretary-General, Hafiz Garba, said Kwankwaso’s alignment with the Obidient Movement undermines the core ideals of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
“The Kwankwasiyya Movement earned widespread support across the North through its educational programmes, empowerment initiatives, and consistent advocacy for the region’s advancement,” the statement read.
The group argued that the movement’s distinctive identity — symbolised by the red cap — is deeply rooted in the defence of Northern interests and historical heritage.
“The North deserves a clear explanation from Kwankwaso. A leader who built his political career on Northern pride cannot remain silent in the face of what many perceive as attacks on the region’s historical icons,” Garba said.
He warned that the coalition between the Kwankwasiyya and Obidient Movements represents a departure from the principles that attracted millions of supporters to Kwankwaso, describing the move as a political miscalculation that could erode his standing among his traditional Northern support base.
Garba urged voters across the North to carefully scrutinise all political coalitions ahead of the 2027 general elections to safeguard the region’s interests.