Buba Galadima has conceded that efforts to promote Peter Obi’s presidential candidacy in northern Nigeria are encountering significant resistance, as the opposition alliance faces fierce opposition from both ruling and rival parties.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress chieftain, a close political ally of Rabiu Kwankwaso, revealed that promoters of the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso ticket have been subjected to intense criticism and accused of attempting to install an Igbo leader.
Speaking during an exclusive interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday, Galadima described the partnership as Nigeria’s “healing ticket,” designed to reconcile the North and South-East while addressing longstanding regional mistrust.
“It is our belief that this is the only ticket that can salvage Nigeria,” he declared.
Galadima disclosed that he and other supporters have spent more than two years working to improve relations between northern and South-East political leaders, with the aim of convincing Nigerians to view Obi as a national rather than ethnic candidate.
“We are making Peter Obi a Nigerian president, not an Igbo president,” he asserted.
Opposition from All Sides
The NDC chieftain admitted that the campaign has attracted hostility from both the ruling All Progressives Congress and rival opposition parties.
“We have been called several names: ‘Oh, you are bringing an Igbo man,’” he said. “Unfortunately, it’s not only the ruling APC government criticising us, but even some opposition political parties.”
He accused opposition figures of internal squabbling rather than focusing their efforts on defeating the APC.
Galadima also challenged critics within the camp of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, reminding them that Obi had served as Atiku’s running mate during the 2019 presidential election. He noted that Atiku had previously selected Ben Obi, Peter Obi and Ifeanyi Okowa as running mates across different campaigns.
Policy Priorities and Self-Reflection
Galadima said the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso government would prioritise insecurity, agriculture and education, particularly in the North. He claimed Obi had agreed to personally address these sectors and involve northern stakeholders in developing solutions if elected.
The NDC chieftain acknowledged that politicians of his generation contributed to the ethnic and religious divisions now confronting the country.
“Of course, we did create this problem. We were part of it,” he admitted.
He further accused the APC administration of neglecting agriculture and pursuing food-importation policies that he claimed had harmed local farmers, though he presented no supporting figures during the interview.
The Obi-Kwankwaso ticket would invest in agriculture, local manufacturing and practical skills to tackle unemployment, Galadima said.
Despite the resistance, he maintained that the alliance was not built around ethnic or religious interests.
“This ticket is not about Igbos, Hausas, Yorubas, Islam or Christianity. This ticket is about Nigeria,” he said.