Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has dismissed the possibility of serving as running mate to Labour Party's Peter Obi or any other person heading to next year's presidential election.
According to the former Kano State Governor, he has nothing against Obi's candidacy, but believes his years of hardwork which he said is the basis for the existence of his current political platform, NNPP, would be in vane should he accept such offer.
Not until Kwankwaso's current position on the matter, there has been speculations that the ongoing move to form a coalition between his platform New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) and the Labour Party, would see him accept the offer to serve as VP to Obi should they eventually win next year's election.
While Kwankwaso’s candidacy is currently gaining momentum in the northern part of the country, Obi is gaining popularity among the youths across the country which would increase their chances of defeating the two major political parties in the country, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
However, Kwankwaso's current stance on the matter could all but end the possibility of reaching an agreement between the two parties.
Speaking while inaugurating the Gombe State office of NNPP on Saturday, the former Kano Governor said his political profile built over the years and his wealth of experience having served in various capacities in the country have helped in bringing NNPP to the limelight within a short time.
He stated that with the fame the party had achieved within the short time, anything short of his presidency under the party would mean its collapse.
“From the discussion with 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 criteria in terms of age, qualification, offices held, performance and so on.
“Of course, the other side wouldn’t want that. Most of the people from there believe that presidency has to go there (South-East)
“If now I decide to be vice presidential candidate to 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 really holding NNPP now,” he said.