Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has explained why he can’t be be a running mate to Peter Obi, presidential candidate of Labour Party.
Speaking to journalists in Gombe on Saturday, Kwankwaso said he is offering “a golden opportunity” to Mr Obi to be his running mate.
He was in Gombe to inaugurate the state office of the NNPP in the state
Kwankwaso said, “From the discussion with the Labour Party, the main issue was who becomes the president if the parties merge.
“At the end of the day, some of our representatives thought that there should be a criteria in terms of age, qualification, offices held, performance and so on,” the NNPP candidate said.
“Of course the other side wouldn’t want that. Most of the people from there believe that the presidency has to go there. If I decide to be a vice presidential candidate for anybody in this country; NNPP will collapse, because the party is based on what we have built in the last 30 years.
“I served for 17 years as a civil servant; we are talking of 47 years of very serious hard work that is what is rarely holding NNPP now.
“Even if my friend [Peter Obi] wants to accept the vice presidential candidate, some people in the south-east will not accept, that is not strategic.
“This is a golden opportunity, if they lose it, it will be a disaster.”
