By Chukwudi Obasi, with additional report
A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and close ally of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Ladipo Johnson, has described as “not insulting” the idea of President Bola Tinubu offering Kwankwaso the vice-presidential slot in a potential alliance for 2027.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Johnson said while such a proposal may not necessarily be accepted, it should not be viewed as disrespectful.
“It’s not insulting to offer him (the vice president slot); whether he accepts or not is a different thing,” he said, confirming that figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have reached out on the possibility of a political alliance.
Johnson noted that the NNPP has remained open to negotiations with like-minded political actors since the end of the 2023 elections.
“People from the APC have called me to say, ‘Oh, if he is offered, please encourage him to accept,’ but when it comes to the party, it is a team game,” he stated, adding that any decision must align with NNPP’s core values and political strategy.
While Tinubu is expected to seek re-election in 2027, the idea of a merger or alliance between the APC and the NNPP—especially in the North, where Kwankwaso remains influential—could significantly reshape the political map.
*As the IPAC chairman questions the feasibility of Obi’s single-term plan
Meanwhile, former Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Chairman Yabagi Sani has thrown cold water on the recent proposition by the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to serve only a single term if elected president in 2027.
Obi reportedly made the statement during an X Space interaction with his followers over the weekend, promising to complete only one term if elected to calm fears overpowering rotation and regional balance.
But Sani, who also appeared on The Morning Brief on Tuesday, said Obi’s pledge lacks believability, particularly among northern politicians who are already eyeing a return of presidential power to their region after the South’s eight-year cycle.
“Peter Obi is not a saint,” Sani said. “We are human beings. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Successive governments have tried to rewrite constitutions and extend their tenure.”
He also warned that, regardless of the promises made before entering office, the political dynamics—including the power of incumbency, state capture, and entrenched loyalties—could easily derail any such agreement.
According to Sani, “The northerners will tell you that after Bola Tinubu’s term—if he gets a second term—it should come to the North.”
As the 2027 election looms, the evolving debates over zoning, alliances, and political credibility are shaping up to become the dominant themes in the months ahead, with leading contenders already positioning themselves for a fierce contest.
