The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has explained why he chose the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as his running mate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking in an interview with The Sun, Obi said the decision was driven by their shared commitment to using education and economic development to lift Nigerians out of poverty.

According to the former Anambra State governor, he and Kwankwaso share similar philosophies on nation-building, human capital development and expanding access to education.

“Kwankwaso has the philosophy of pulling people out of poverty. I have the same philosophy. Kwankwaso believes in education. You cannot change society without education.

“If you look at my X, (formerly Twitter), I made it clear that I will emphasise education. Education is going to change society. Nigeria must be seen to form its innermost human capital, which we need to develop. Kwankwaso believes in this. I do. We have synergy,” he said.