2023 and dashed hopes in Obi, Kwankwaso alliance

Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis examines the storylines that led to the collapse of the proposed alliance between the Labor Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party

Days after protracted talks on an alliance between the Labor Party and the Nigerian People's New Party broke down, officials on both sides blamed each other for the fiasco. The proposed union had excited many Nigerians and political observers, many of whom said it would create an opening to the North West and further put LP presidential candidate Peter Obi in a prime position to challenge his party counterparts in the power All Progressives. Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; and the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Obi had quit the PDP when it became apparent that Atiku was unwilling to give up on his eternal dream of becoming president. After his shocking stint at the LP, the former Anambra State Governor has continued to rise in popularity and dominate the stories, especially on social media. His sudden rise shocked even his detractors and commanded the respect of opposing candidates who once dubbed him "Social Media President".

When LP Chairman Julius Abure floated the idea of ​​an alliance with the NNPP, the move fueled Obi supporters' belief that he could bridge the gap between his "structureless" platform of the ruling APC and the PDP. A former presidential spokesman and former LP alternate, Dr. Doyin Okupe, was the leader of Obi's delegation while a former leader of the defunct All Nigeria People's Party, Buba Galadima, led the NNPP negotiating team. .

Things fall apart

However, after weeks of deliberation and consideration, the dream of a possible merger between LP and NNPP fell apart, with both sides accusing each other of sabotaging the deal. NNPP National Publicity Secretary Dr Agbo Major told our correspondent that the inability of the two political parties to come together stemmed from a disagreement over who should stand down for the other as a candidate for the presidency.

He said: “The question between us was who would become the president and the vice-president (candidates), but the thing took on an ethnic and religious coloring. According to Obi, the Igbos insist that this is their chance to produce the president and they cannot afford to waste this opportunity. (Rabiu) Kwankwaso also insisted that he had structure and was more experienced as a politician. That's why we were at an impasse. As things stand, the talks on the proposed alliance have failed. We don't talk to each other anymore."

When asked if the NNPP was looking beyond the collapsed alliance for talks with other parties, Agbo said he was still open to talks with other parties. other potential political parties. He stressed, “Of course, we are always open to alliance talks with anyone or party that is willing to work with us on very objective terms. We are ready. No party wants to go it alone. But if not, we'll do it alone."

Earlier, the NNPP standard bearer (Kwankwaso) mocked his LP counterpart for refusing to stand down for him despite knowing that his wealth of experience and knowledge of the terrain politics could lead them to victory. Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano state, had urged Obi, also a former governor of Anambra, to accept his offer for the post of vice president to seal their alignment ahead of next year's poll. According to him, the union of the two political parties will provide the Southeast with an opportunity to produce the first president in the near future.

He said, "The Southeast is good in terms of business, very hardworking and industrious, but one area they have to learn is politics. They are at the bottom of the ladder If you look at the situation they lost with the APC and the PDP no president no vice president The only opportunity the South East has to produce the president or vice president is with the NNPP . Coincidentally, the party was registered by an Igbo man from Anambra State. This is the only golden opportunity they have."

Kwankwaso's alleged ego

Feeling scorned by Kwankwaso towards the alliance's collapse, LP National Chairman Julius Abure slammed former Kano State Governor for allowing ego of his "Kwankwasiyya movement" to cloud his sense of reasoning. An emotional Abure told our correspondent that the problem was not Obi's fault, as the NNPP camp would have Nigerians believe, but Kwankwaso's ego.

He said, "Kwankwaso just isn't ready to become Peter Obi's VP. I've said that before and I will...