The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 elections, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has made a passionate appeal for renewed political synergy between Northern Nigeria and the South-East, emphasizing that both regions share a long history of strategic partnership that must be revived.
In an interview with BBC Igbo, the former Kano State Governor urged Nigerians to move past historical grievances and embrace national reconciliation, reminding the country that progress is impossible without unity and mutual forgiveness.
A Legacy of Historic Alliances
Reflecting on the nation’s political evolution, Kwankwaso pointed out that some of Nigeria’s most stable political eras were built on cooperation between the North and the South-East. He noted that early nationalist leaders possessed the foresight to understand that the country’s strength lay in bridging regional divides.
“We have to forgive ourselves. We have to work together as a family,” Kwankwaso stated. “The South-East has been our ally, our friends, over the years.”
To support his assertion, the NDC chieftain cited key historical milestones where the two regions successfully collaborated:
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The First Republic: The alliance between the northern-backed Northern People’s Congress (NPC) and the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), which was led by the legendary pan-Africanist, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
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The Second Republic: The collaboration between President Shehu Shagari’s National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and prominent South-East politicians, which ultimately paved the way for Dr. Alex Ekwueme to emerge as the Vice President.
Lessons From Post-Civil War Reconciliation
The former Minister of Defence drew a powerful parallel with the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War. He lauded the post-war political class of the late 1970s for their swiftness in reintegrating the South-East into mainstream national politics, despite the bitterness of the conflict that ended in 1970.
“The Civil War was finished in 1970. In 1978 and 1979, when democracy came back, the first thing our leaders said was, ‘Look, they are not our enemies. Let’s prove to them. Let’s bring them. Let’s work together’,” Kwankwaso recalled, urging modern politicians to channel that same spirit of inclusion.
As political alignments begin to take shape ahead of the 2027 general elections, Kwankwaso’s remarks are seen by analysts as a strategic move to build bridges across traditional regional divides, establishing a unified front focused on national cohesion and collaborative governance.
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
