2027: Kwankwaso will not be a spare tyre as VP – Peter Obi

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) has pledged to give Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso an active role in governance if they win the 2027 presidential election.

He declared that his running mate would serve as “a partner, not a spare tyre.”

Obi made the declaration while accepting his nomination as the NDC’s presidential candidate, following the formal announcement of Kwankwaso as his vice-presidential running mate.

The former Anambra State governor described his emergence as the party’s flagbearer as a call to national service and vowed to pursue what he termed a “New Nigeria” built on security, economic revival, accountable leadership and national unity.

He expressed appreciation to party leaders and supporters across the country for entrusting him with the presidential ticket, while stressing that Nigeria was facing growing challenges, including insecurity, economic hardship and declining public confidence in governance.

Speaking on national security, Obi said the country must urgently address rising violence and criminality, noting that no nation could prosper when citizens live in fear. He called for renewed investment in security institutions and strategies aimed at protecting lives and property.

The NDC candidate also outlined plans to strengthen the healthcare sector by expanding health insurance coverage, rehabilitating primary healthcare centres across the country and improving the welfare and training of health workers.

On education, Obi promised increased investment in human capital development through improved schools, teacher support and vocational training programmes designed to boost productivity and innovation.

He further pledged reforms in agriculture, energy and job creation, promising policies that would enhance food security, increase electricity generation and support small and medium-scale businesses.

According to him, Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential and youthful population could drive economic growth if properly harnessed through targeted investments and governance reforms.

Obi also vowed to reduce the cost of governance, strengthen democratic institutions and uphold the rule of law.

“Democracy must work for the people. The vice president will be a partner, not a spare tyre,” Obi said while formally confirming Kwankwaso as his running mate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The alliance brings together two prominent opposition figures who contested separately in the 2023 presidential election, with Obi and Kwankwaso finishing behind President Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president