Northern political leader Rabiu Kwankwaso has revealed that his daughter encouraged him to form an alliance with Peter Obi long before the two politicians eventually united under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Kwankwaso said the conversation happened ahead of the 2023 general election and reflected the growing political influence of younger Nigerians.
“Even in the 2023 election, my own daughter was telling me to go and work with Peter Obi,” he said, noting that many young people were already drawn to Obi’s style of politics.
Kwankwaso explained that the support bases of both the Kwankwasiyya movement and Obi’s followers cut across regions and social classes more than many political observers realised. According to him, many supporters often keep their political preferences private to avoid conflict.
The former Kano governor also argued that Nigeria’s older political elite have failed to understand the changing mindset of younger voters, who are increasingly prioritising competence and leadership over ethnicity or religion.
He stressed that young Nigerians are more interested in credible leadership and national progress than the traditional political divisions that have long shaped elections in the country.
Kwankwaso and Obi officially joined the NDC on May 3 after leaving the African Democratic Congress following internal disagreements.
