The emerging presidential alliance between Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is reportedly facing resistance from some political stakeholders and sections of the electorate in Northern Nigeria, according to a report by Sunday PUNCH.
The report says some northern leaders argue that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the platform associated with Obi and Kwankwaso, remains largely unknown to many voters in the region. The National Publicity Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, reportedly stated that the party has yet to gain significant visibility and acceptance among ordinary northern voters.
Some critics also questioned Obi’s acceptability in parts of the North, while reports emerged of campaign posters featuring Obi and Kwankwaso being destroyed in parts of Kano State. A Kano lawmaker who had joined the NDC was also reported to have returned to the APC.
However, not all northern voices share that view. The Northern Region Director of the Civil Liberty Organisation, Steve Aluko-Daniel, dismissed claims that the NDC lacks support in the region. He argued that many northern voters are increasingly attracted to the party because of the influence of Kwankwaso and Obi and the absence of a single dominant northern political bloc.
NDC officials have also pushed back against suggestions of weak support, insisting that the party is rapidly building structures across Northern Nigeria and expanding its grassroots presence ahead of the 2027 elections.
The debate comes as Nigeria’s opposition landscape continues to shift. Obi recently secured his party’s presidential nomination after leaving a broader opposition coalition, while analysts say opposition divisions could once again affect efforts to challenge incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 election.
In summary, the reported “northern resistance” reflects concerns expressed by some northern political groups and leaders, but there are also voices within the region who believe the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance remains competitive and capable of attracting substantial support.
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