A chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Asiwaju Moshood Shittu, has called for greater transparency in the coalition’s plans, strategies, and objectives ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Shittu, an ally of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, cautioned against rushing into alliances, warning that failing to properly evaluate options could lead to unfavorable outcomes, as seen in the 2015 elections.
According to Shittu, the 2015 coalition was formed primarily to unseat former President Goodluck Jonathan, without a thorough assessment of the alternative candidate. This, he argued, resulted in a leadership choice that proved to be worse than the one it replaced.
Reflecting on the past, he warned against repeating the same mistake in 2027.
“We must not repeat the 2014 Lagos-style merger that was hastily arranged just to oust President Jonathan, without critically vetting the character and capacity of the candidate presented. The result was disastrous—we ended up with someone far worse than Jonathan,” Shittu stated.
Shittu emphasized that any coalition for the 2027 elections must have a clear roadmap, including:
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A well-defined agenda
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A strong ideological foundation
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A concrete action plan
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A capable and vetted presidential candidate
“Today, everyone wants Kwankwaso on their side. He’s the darling of many, but he must tread with caution. Who is the anointed candidate? What is the merger agenda? Is there a clear blueprint? These are questions that must be answered before moving forward,” he added.
Kwankwaso as a Political Bride
Further cautioning Kwankwaso, Shittu noted that the former governor is a highly sought-after political figure, but he must carefully evaluate any alliance to avoid entering into a “marriage of inconvenience.”
He urged Kwankwaso to prioritize the Nigerian people over political calculations, stressing that history would remember him for wise, well-thought-out decisions rather than rushed alliances.
“Posterity will judge. Rushing into any alliance without substance may spell doom. Nigeria cannot afford another gamble,” Shittu warned.
