Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode has cautioned former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso against trusting the single-term commitment made by Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
During its recent national convention, the NDC officially zoned its presidential ticket to the South for a four-year period. This strategic move, which paved the way for Obi to seek a single tenure, received significant backing from Kwankwaso.
In a statement released on Sunday, Fani-Kayode questioned Kwankwaso’s faith in this arrangement, alleging that Obi, his prospective running mate has a history of political betrayal.
Fani-Kayode claimed that the former Anambra State Governor has a track record of abandoning his mentors and political platforms over the decades.
“Obi has betrayed every single leader he has served since 1999. He has abandoned every one of the five political parties he utilized to seek office over the last 27 years,” Fani-Kayode asserted.
While Fani-Kayode noted that he previously respected Kwankwaso’s intelligence, he admitted to being baffled by the former governor’s current alliance.
Fani-Kayode warned that if Obi were to attain the presidency, he would likely renege on the four-year agreement.
“Peter will manipulate him and eventually discard him, just as he has done with previous associates. If such a man gains power, rest assured he will never relinquish it, let alone after only four years,” he said.
Despite his warnings, the Ambassador-designate expressed confidence that the NDC would not emerge victorious.
He concluded by stating that the attempt to split Southern votes and deny the Southwest an eight-year presidency under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would ultimately fail.