Nigerian ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani‑Kayode, on Sunday questioned the commitment of former Kano governor Rabiu Kwankwaso to the “one‑term agenda” championed by 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi. Fani‑Kayode, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu, suggested that Kwarkwaso, who has been floated as a potential vice‑presidential running mate for Obi, might be misled about Obi’s intentions.
The remarks come after the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) announced at its recent national convention that its presidential ticket would be zoned to the South for a four‑year term. The zoning decision effectively limited the party’s presidential candidate to a single term, a move that Kwankwaso reportedly supported. Fani‑Kayode, however, expressed doubt that Obi would honour the arrangement, accusing the former Anambra governor of a pattern of political defections.
“Obi has betrayed every leader he has had since 1999 and abandoned each of the five parties whose platform he has used or attempted to use to run for office over the last 27 years,” Fani‑Kayode said in a statement. He added that, despite his respect for Kwankwaso’s intelligence, the former governor’s behavior “baffles” him.
The ambassador‑designate warned that Obi might “dribble” Kwarkwaso “like a yo‑yo” before discarding him, as he allegedly has done with other allies. “If a man like that ever gets power, rest assured he will never leave it, let alone step down after four years,” Fani‑Kayode asserted.
Fani‑Kayode also noted his optimism that the NDC would not succeed in the upcoming election, predicting a decisive defeat for Obi at the hands of the People’s Democratic Alliance (PBDA) in the coming months. He argued that Obi’s strategy to split the southern vote and prevent President Tinubu’s party from completing an eight‑year tenure would ultimately fail.
The statements highlight ongoing tensions within the opposition camp ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election. While the NDC’s zoning decision appears to have been intended to secure regional balance, accusations of opportunism and mistrust among key figures suggest that coalition‑building remains fragile. Observers note that the outcome of the election could be influenced by these internal dynamics, particularly as parties vie for support across Nigeria’s diverse geopolitical zones.
