The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has advocated a renewed political partnership between Northern Nigeria and the South-East, arguing that both regions have a longstanding history of cooperation that should be strengthened once again.
Kwankwaso made the call during an interview with BBC Igbo, published on the broadcaster’s Facebook page on Wednesday.
He said Nigeria’s political development has always been strongest when leaders embraced reconciliation, inclusion and national unity, particularly in the years following the Nigerian Civil War.
According to him, political actors across the country should adopt the spirit of forgiveness in order to build a stronger and more united nation.
“We have to forgive ourselves. We have to work together as a family. South-East has been our ally, our friends, over the years,” he said.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s political history, the former Kano State governor recalled that the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) and the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) forged a successful alliance during the First Republic under the leadership of notable figures, including Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
He added that similar cooperation continued during the Second Republic when President Shehu Shagari and other leaders of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) maintained close political ties with leaders from the South-East.
“During our own time, or the time of our fathers, grandfathers in politics—in the First Republic—you could see the NPC then, which is mainly northern political party, had an alliance with the NCNC, headed by Nnamdi Azikiwe.
“Even the Second Republic, you could see our leaders, Shagari and co, of course, went coincidentally to the Southeast and even Anambra State, even Azikiwe himself from Anambra State, and so on and so forth. So our leaders had foresight.
“The Civil War was finished in 1970. In 1978 and 1979, when democracy came back, the first thing they said was, ‘Look, they are not our enemies. Let’s prove to them. Let’s bring them. Let’s work together.’
“Our leaders of the First Republic worked together with them, and that’s how they brought Alex Ekwueme to be the Vice President,” he said.
Kwankwaso paid tribute to the late former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, describing him as a trusted friend of Northern Nigeria throughout his political career.
He recalled attending Ekwueme’s burial in his hometown of Oko, Anambra State, where he reflected on the cordial relationship the late statesman maintained with political leaders across the country.
“I went to Oko, the hometown. I was there during Alex Ekwueme’s burial. Throughout his life, he was our friend. It’s only that democracy was truncated,” he added.
The former governor also referenced the return of the late Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, from exile after the Civil War, describing it as another demonstration of reconciliation by the country’s political leadership.
According to Kwankwaso, Northern political leaders at the time encouraged Ojukwu’s reintegration into Nigeria’s democratic process by supporting his return and participation in politics.
“The NPN, a mainly northern party, had to invite Ojukwu to come back. He came back, contested for a Senate seat and lost. But despite the fact that he was the leader of Biafra at that particular time, our leaders decided to forgive themselves and forge ahead.
“We cannot be in the same country and start fighting. We have to have the spirit of forgiveness, whoever offended the other. It depends on who is giving the story,” he said.
Kwankwaso emphasised that efforts to strengthen political cooperation between the North and the South-East should not be interpreted as an attempt to isolate or oppose other parts of the country.
He maintained that Nigeria’s diversity makes broad-based political collaboration essential, insisting that no region or religious group can successfully pursue national politics in isolation.
“We are so happy that we in the North have decided to go back to history to work with the Southeast. That’s not to say we are fighting the South-West or any zone in this country. No, we are all friends.
“You can’t play politics in this country alone—politics of Muslims, or Christians, or North, or South—not at this level,” he said.
His comments come as political parties continue consultations and coalition-building ahead of the 2027 general election.
Kwankwaso is the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), running alongside the party’s presidential candidate and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi.
