The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has called for a renewed political partnership between Northern Nigeria and the South-East, saying the two regions have historically worked together and should continue to do so for the country's unity and development.
Kwankwaso made the call during an interview with BBC Igbo, where he emphasised the need for forgiveness, reconciliation and inclusive politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former Kano State governor said Nigeria's political history offers several examples of cooperation between leaders from the North and the South-East, stressing that such relationships helped strengthen national cohesion after the Civil War.
According to him, political leaders of the First Republic demonstrated foresight by forging alliances across regional lines, particularly between the Northern People's Congress (NPC) and the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), led by Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.
He noted that the spirit of collaboration continued into the Second Republic, when political leaders from the North worked closely with their counterparts from the South-East.
Kwankwaso said the decision by political leaders to embrace reconciliation after the Civil War played a significant role in rebuilding trust and promoting national integration.
He pointed to the emergence of the late Dr Alex Ekwueme as Vice President in 1979 as a reflection of efforts to ensure that the South-East remained actively involved in the country's political leadership.
"The war ended in 1970, and when democratic rule returned, our leaders made conscious efforts to bring everyone together. They believed the South-East should be part of the country's future and worked with leaders from the region," he said.
The NDC chieftain described Ekwueme as a respected national figure who maintained strong ties across Nigeria and contributed significantly to the country's democratic development.
He also recalled the return of the late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, from exile, saying the gesture reflected the willingness of Nigerian leaders at the time to move beyond past divisions and embrace reconciliation.
Kwankwaso argued that Nigeria's diversity makes cooperation among regions a necessity, adding that no part of the country can achieve meaningful political success in isolation.
He stressed that his call for closer ties between the North and South-East should not be interpreted as opposition to any other region.
"We value our relationship with the South-East, but that does not mean we are against the South-West or any other region. Every part of Nigeria is important, and we must continue to work together," he said.
He further noted that politics in a country as diverse as Nigeria requires broad alliances that transcend ethnicity, religion and geography.
"You cannot build a successful political movement based solely on one region, religion or section of the country. National unity and cooperation remain essential," he added.
Kwankwaso's remarks come amid increasing political realignments and consultations ahead of the 2027 elections, where he is expected to contest as the running mate to NDC presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi.
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