By Steve Oko
The South-East Coordinator of the Kwankwaso National Network (KNN), Dr Ukpai Iro Ukpai, has revealed how a conversation between Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his daughter, Dr Aisha Rabiu Kwankwaso, allegedly inspired efforts towards a political alliance between Kwankwaso and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ukpai said the conversation, which reportedly took place at Kwankwaso’s residence, became a defining moment in the push for what he described as a “National Healing” presidential ticket.
Speaking exclusively with Vanguard in Umuahia, Ukpai said Kwankwaso’s daughter deserved national recognition for the idea.
He quoted Aisha as asking her father: “Daddy, why don’t you go with that man Obi?”
According to Ukpai, the question challenged Kwankwaso to look beyond regional considerations and personal political ambitions in pursuit of a broader national alliance.
He described the development as a reflection of the growing desire among young Nigerians for political leaders to bridge ethnic and regional divides.
Ukpai said Aisha, a newly graduated medical doctor, identified a possible convergence between Obi’s economic vision and Kwankwaso’s grassroots political base.
“Looking at her father not just as a seasoned political leader but as someone whose decisions could shape the future of her generation, she asked a simple and direct question that left the veteran politician with much to reflect upon,” he said.
He added that Kwankwaso listened to his daughter and embraced what he described as the broader objective of national unity.
According to Ukpai, the development has strengthened efforts to build a broad-based political partnership between the North and South ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He said the KNN South-East Zone had consequently adopted Aisha Kwankwaso as an honorary member in recognition of what the group described as her role in inspiring the unity initiative.
“The journey to rescue Nigeria does not begin only with political calculations; it begins with the values we nurture within our families,” Ukpai said.
He described Aisha as a symbol of youth participation and national integration, saying her intervention demonstrated the potential influence of young Nigerians in shaping the country’s political future.
Ukpai said a potential Obi-Kwankwaso alliance could become a major force in the 2027 presidential contest if successfully consummated.
He also described Kwankwaso as a “bridge-builder”, comparing his political philosophy with those of the late elder statesman, Maitama Sule, and the late Mallam Aminu Kano.
According to him, Kwankwaso’s grassroots appeal in the North, combined with Obi’s support base in the South and among young Nigerians, could provide the foundation for a broader national coalition.
Ukpai said KNN would continue to mobilise support across the South-East and other parts of the country for a political arrangement it believes could promote national cohesion.
He said the political realignments ahead of 2027 should be driven by competence, unity and a collective desire to address Nigeria’s economic and social challenges.
“For us, this is about building bridges across regions and generations and giving Nigerians hope that a united political front is possible,” he said.
Ukpai, however, reiterated KNN’s resolve to mobilise five million votes for a joint Obi-Kwankwaso ticket from the South-East in 2027.
He claimed that the region remained a strong support base for the proposed alliance, irrespective of the political affiliations or positions of the various state governors.
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