Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso appeared on ARISE TV yesterday in a major political interview focused mainly on the 2027 elections, opposition coalition politics, zoning, Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, insecurity, and the future of the newly aligned opposition movement in Nigeria. The interview generated intense reactions nationwide because of some of the direct positions he took publicly for the first time. (Arise News)
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the major questions asked and Kwankwaso’s responses.
Watch the full interview below
1. Why did the NDC zone the presidency to the South?
One of the first major questions thrown at Kwankwaso was why the opposition coalition decided to support southern zoning for the 2027 presidential election.
Kwankwaso explained that the decision was taken to restore political balance in Nigeria after what he described as the disruption caused by the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.
According to him, zoning became necessary to prevent further regional tension and political confusion. He argued that allowing the South to complete another term would stabilize the country and preserve the principle of rotational leadership.
He stated that northern members of the coalition accepted the arrangement in good faith and as loyal party members. (Arise News)
Meaning behind his answer
Kwankwaso was trying to present himself as a national politician willing to sacrifice personal ambition for political stability. Many analysts see this as an attempt to position himself as a statesman ahead of 2027.
2. Is Peter Obi now the likely presidential candidate?
The interviewers pressed him further on whether the zoning arrangement automatically means Peter Obi would emerge as the coalition’s presidential candidate.
Kwankwaso did not deny it.
Instead, he strongly hinted that Obi is currently the most likely beneficiary of the southern zoning arrangement. He said Nigerians would probably be happy with such an outcome.
This was one of the biggest moments of the interview because many Nigerians interpreted it as indirect endorsement of Peter Obi. (Arise News)
Political significance
This was viewed as a major shift because in 2023 both Obi and Kwankwaso contested separately and failed to unite. Their division was believed to have weakened the opposition vote against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Now, many analysts believe the two camps are trying to avoid repeating that mistake.
3. Will Kwankwaso accept being Obi’s running mate?
This became the most explosive part of the interview.
Kwankwaso was directly asked whether he would agree to become vice president or running mate to Peter Obi if the party decided so.
Surprisingly, he gave a soft and diplomatic answer instead of rejecting the idea outright.
He said:
The party is supreme.
Loyal members must obey party decisions.
If the party takes such a decision, he would work with it.
Some reports even interpreted his comments as openness to serving alongside Obi. (The Southern Examiner)
Why this shocked Nigerians
In 2022 and 2023, Kwankwaso had previously suggested he was more qualified than Obi and could not deputize him. So many viewers considered this a huge political concession.
Political commentators described it as one of the clearest signs yet that opposition leaders are becoming more willing to unite against the APC in 2027.
4. How will northern supporters react to a southern candidate?
The interviewers asked whether northern voters would accept another southern presidency after Tinubu.
Kwankwaso answered that Nigerians are now more concerned about:
competence,
insecurity,
poverty,
unemployment,
and economic hardship,
rather than ethnicity or religion.
He argued that many citizens simply want effective leadership regardless of where the leader comes from. (Arise News)
Deeper interpretation
Kwankwaso was attempting to weaken the traditional North-versus-South political narrative. He suggested that economic suffering has changed voter priorities.
This is important because northern voting blocs historically play a decisive role in Nigerian elections.
5. Why did he join the new coalition movement?
Kwankwaso was questioned about why he aligned himself with the new opposition coalition and political restructuring efforts.
He responded that Nigeria needs a stronger opposition capable of rescuing the country from:
economic hardship,
insecurity,
inflation,
weak governance,
and declining public confidence.
He claimed many Nigerians have already started registering and mobilizing under the coalition movement. (Arise News)
What he was trying to communicate
Kwankwaso wanted viewers to see the coalition not as a temporary political arrangement but as a growing national movement.
6. What did he say about insecurity?
Kwankwaso was also asked about insecurity, especially in Northern Nigeria.
He argued that Nigeria’s security agencies are capable of tackling insecurity but lack strong political backing and willpower from leadership.
According to him:
the military can perform better,
security institutions need stronger support,
and political leadership must become more decisive.
Why this matters
Security remains one of the biggest issues ahead of 2027, especially:
banditry,
kidnapping,
terrorism,
and communal violence.
Kwankwaso tried to position himself as someone with governance and security experience.
7. What did he say about Atiku’s position?
Although he did not attack Atiku Abubakar directly, the interview indirectly contrasted his stance with Atiku’s.
While Atiku reportedly opposed southern zoning, Kwankwaso openly supported it. (Arise News)
This immediately fueled speculation that:
the opposition may split into different camps,
Atiku may not support the zoning arrangement,
and Kwankwaso may now be closer politically to Peter Obi than to Atiku.
8. Is an Obi–Kwankwaso alliance now real?
The presenters repeatedly pushed him on whether a genuine alliance now exists between the Obidient Movement and the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
Kwankwaso suggested that grassroots supporters from both sides are already beginning to work together organically.
He admitted there may still be disagreements among supporters, but he believes cooperation is growing gradually. (The Southern Examiner)
Political implication
If fully united, many analysts believe:
Obi’s southern popularity,
combined with Kwankwaso’s northern grassroots structure,
could create one of the strongest opposition coalitions since 2015.
Key Takeaways From The Interview
1. Kwankwaso publicly backed southern zoning
This was perhaps the clearest statement he has made on power rotation ahead of 2027.
2. He softened his position on Peter Obi
Instead of rivalry, he projected cooperation.
3. He signaled willingness to obey party decisions
Including potentially serving in a secondary role.
4. He framed the 2027 election as rescue mission
He repeatedly emphasized hardship, insecurity, and governance failure.
5. The opposition coalition appears to be taking shape
The interview strengthened speculation of a major anti-APC alliance.
Why The Interview Is Trending Nationwide
The interview went viral because Nigerians viewed it as:
a major political realignment,
a possible reconciliation between Obi and Kwankwaso,
and a sign that the opposition may finally unite for 2027.
Many supporters of the opposition celebrated the interview online, while critics questioned whether such alliances can truly hold together until the election period.
The interview has now become one of the most discussed political conversations in Nigeria this week. (Arise News)
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