Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has assured his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, that he will function as a genuine partner and not a “spare tyre” in a potential Obi-Kwankwaso administration.
Obi made the pledge on Saturday at the NDC national convention in Abuja, where he was formally affirmed as the party’s flag bearer and announced Kwankwaso as his vice-presidential nominee.
“The government we intend to form will no longer be a government where anybody will say that the vice president is a spare tyre,” Obi told party delegates.
He added: “The vice president will be a partner because we want to build a nation where there are two equal people who work for the greatness of the country. Decisions will be taken as partners. Everybody will be consulted.”
Obi described the partnership as one rooted in shared values, particularly on education, security and inclusive governance.
“He believes in education and security. And we will work together to ensure it happens,” he said while inviting Kwankwaso to the podium.
Both leaders defected to the NDC in early May after leaving the African Democratic Congress. In the 2023 election, Obi ran under the Labour Party while Kwankwaso contested on the New Nigeria Peoples Party platform.
