Former Kano governor and NNPP presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso said on Monday that his daughter urged him to join forces with Labour Party candidate Peter Obi ahead of the 2023 Nigerian elections. Kwankwaso made the comments during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, where he also criticised senior politicians for being out of touch with Nigeria’s youthful electorate.
Speaking from Lagos, the former governor argued that many political leaders still base their campaigns on religion and ethnicity, a strategy that no longer resonates with younger Nigerians. “The younger generation cares more about competent leadership than about the old divisive narratives,” Kwankwaso said. “They are driven by the desire for credible governance that can address the country’s problems.”
He added that the shift in political expectations is evident even within his own family. “During the 2023 campaign, my own daughter told me she wanted me to work with Peter Obi. She wasn’t demanding obedience; she simply believed a collaboration would serve the nation better,” he explained. The remark, Kwankwaso suggested, reflects a broader sentiment among youths who are increasingly vocal on social media about the need for effective leadership.
Kwankwaso lamented that many senior politicians appear oblivious to the dynamics of online discourse. “Leaders of our generation, and especially those of Atiku’s cohort, are a dwindling minority compared with the numbers of young people today. Those younger voters have their own way of thinking, even our children,” he said. He warned that ignoring this demographic could further erode public trust.
The former governor’s observations come at a time when Nigeria’s political landscape remains fragmented, with the presidential race featuring candidates from the All Progressives Congress (APC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Analysts note that the youth vote, estimated to account for more than half of the electorate, could be decisive, especially as social media platforms amplify calls for reform and accountability.
While Kwankwaso stopped short of confirming any formal alliance with Obi, his comments underscore the growing pressure on established politicians to adapt to a new electorate that prioritises performance over traditional identity politics. Whether his daughter’s suggestion will translate into a tangible political partnership remains to be seen, but the statement adds another layer to the evolving narrative of Nigeria’s 2023 electoral contest.
