Obi: Kwankwaso Won’t Be ‘Spare Tyre’ in My Government

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress(NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to run an inclusive administration with former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, describing the partnership as one built on equality and shared responsibility.

Obi made the declaration on Saturday while unveiling Kwankwaso as his running mate during the NDC national convention held in Abuja ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to Obi, a future NDC government would depart from what he described as the traditional “spare tyre” role often associated with vice presidents in Nigeria.

“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 said.

“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. That is what we require, and that is how government functions.”

The former Labour Party presidential candidate said Kwankwaso shares his vision for a more equitable Nigeria, particularly in the areas of education, security, and social inclusion.

“He believes in education and security. And we will work together to ensure it happens,” Obi added while inviting Kwankwaso to the podium.

Obi and Kwankwaso had both contested the 2023 presidential election separately under the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), respectively, before joining the NDC on May 3 after exiting the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Kwankwaso, who remains a major political force in Kano State, won Kano during the 2023 presidential election under the NNPP platform.

Obi had earlier promised to serve only a single four-year term if elected president in 2027, stating that his administration would focus on cutting the cost of governance and reducing waste in public spending.