Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate for 2027, calls for renewed political cooperation between Northern Nigeria and the South-East. In interviews reported by multiple outlets, he says Nigerians should “forgive ourselves” and work together “as a family,” describing the South-East as the North’s longtime ally and friends. Kwankwaso argues that historical political collaboration across the regions should be revisited to strengthen reconciliation and prevent renewed division. He cites examples from Nigeria’s post-independence era, including alliances between Northern and South-East political parties in the First and Second Republics. He also points to reintegration efforts following the Nigerian Civil War, noting that leaders moved to bring South-East figures back into national politics when democracy returned in 1979, including the emergence of Alex Ekwueme as vice president. Kwankwaso further recalls the return of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu from exile and the willingness of Northern leaders to reintegrate him into electoral politics. He adds that the push for closer North–South-East cooperation is not directed against other regions.
Kwankwaso urges North and South-East unity, calling for forgiveness ahead of 2027
Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate for 2027, calls for renewed political cooperation between Northern Nigeria and the South...
- Rabiu Kwankwaso urges forgiveness and unity between Northern Nigeria and the South-East.
- He says the South-East has been a long-standing ally and friend of the North.
- In BBC Igbo interviews cited by outlets, he recalls past political cooperation from the First and Second Republics.
- Kwankwaso points to post–Civil War reintegration after 1970 and the return of South-East leaders into politics after 1979.
- He states the cooperation is not aimed against the South-West or any other region.
"We have to forgive ourselves. We have to work together as a family. The South-East has been our ally and our friends over the years," he said. The post ‘We have to forgive ourselves’ — Kwankwaso calls for north, south-east unity appeared first on Vanguard News.
2 hours agoNigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said Northern leaders have decided to forgive the South-East and work with the region. Kwankwaso disclosed this during an interview with BBC Igbo where he recalled how Biafra warlord, Odumegu Ojukwu and the late Alex Ekwueme worked with Northern political parties during their time. The […] 2027: We need to forgive ourselves, North will work with South-East – Kwankwaso
4 hours agoRabiu Kwankwaso calls for renewed political cooperation between Northern Nigeria and the South-East, urging forgiveness and national unity. Read More: https://punchng.com/seast-has-been-norths-ally-we-must-forgive-ourselves-kwankwaso/
4 hours agoRabiu Kwankwaso, former Kano State Governor and 2027 vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has called for stronger political ties between the North and South-East, urging Nigerians to embrace forgiveness and unity. In an interview with BBC Igbo aired on Wednesday, Kwankwaso highlighted the long-standing alliance between the two regions and stressed the need for reconciliation after historical conflicts.“We have to forgive ourselves. We have to work together as a family. South-East has been our ally, our friends, over the years,” he said.Kwankwaso recalled alliances from Nigeria’s First Republic, when the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) partnered with the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) led by Nnamdi Azikiwe. He also pointed to the Second Republic, where President Shehu Shagari and the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) collaborated with South-East politicians.He noted that shortly after the Civil War ended in 1970, leaders moved quickly to reintegrate the South-East when democracy returned in 1979. This spirit of inclusion led to the emergence of Alex Ekwueme as Vice President.Kwankwaso described the late Ekwueme as a friend of the North and recalled attending his burial in Oko, Anambra State. He also referenced the return of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu from exile, facilitated by Northern leaders who allowed him to contest a Senate seat.“The NPN, a mainly northern party, had to invite Ojukwu to come back. He came back, contested for a Senate seat and lost. But despite the fact that he was the leader of Biafra at that particular time, our leaders decided to forgive themselves and forge ahead,” he said.Kwankwaso warned against division, stating that Nigerians cannot afford to fight while living in the same country. He clarified that closer North-South-East cooperation is not directed against any other region.“We are so happy that we in the North have decided to go back to history to work with the Southeast. That’s not to say we are fighting the South-West or any zone in this country. No, we are all friends,” he added.The comments come as Kwankwaso teams up with former Anambra Governor Peter Obi on the NDC ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections, amid ongoing political realignments across the country.
5 hours ago
Man arrested after alleged threat to shoot Nigel Farage
Police arrest a man over an alleged threat to shoot Nigel Farage. Multiple reports say officers detained a suspect in co...
ICE suspends most vehicle stops after deadly shootings in Maine and Texas
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is directed to suspend most vehicle stops tied to immigration enforcement nati...
Israeli soldier sentenced to five years for spying for Iran
An Israeli soldier is sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of spying for Iran, according to multiple...