According to a report by Daily Post on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Sanusi Bature, the spokesman for Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, has stated that a presidential ticket involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso would not succeed.
He said the political differences between both men make such an arrangement difficult to sustain, stressing that their views and loyalties do not align in a way that could support a workable joint ticket.
Bature made the remarks while speaking during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Wednesday.
His comments came as discussions continued around possible political alliances ahead of future elections.
He maintained that the relationship between the two politicians is shaped by long-standing differences in political direction, public messaging, and the way each has positioned himself in the wider national space.
According to him, Kwankwaso does not see Obi as a suitable partner for a presidential run, given the way he interprets Obi’s political identity and influence.
He suggested that Kwankwaso has a different understanding of Obi’s role in national politics and does not regard him as a figure whose political base can easily merge with that of the New Nigeria Peoples Party leader.
Bature also pointed out that both politicians have pursued separate political paths for years and have built support around different constituencies.
He said Kwankwaso’s political background and Obi’s approach to national issues reflect separate camps that may not be easy to bring together.
He added that the differences go beyond ambition and touch on deeper issues of political perception and strategy.
He further said that while political partnerships are possible in election seasons, not every alliance translates into a successful ticket.
In his view, a running mate arrangement between Obi and Kwankwaso would face serious internal strain because of the contrasting positions each man has taken in public life.
He said such a ticket would struggle to create the kind of unity needed to win broad national support.
The Kano governor’s spokesman made the comments in a tone that suggested the matter was not merely about election arithmetic but also about trust and political alignment.
He indicated that the two politicians have moved on separate tracks for too long for a smooth pairing to be assumed.
