The Northern Youths Assembly has rejected the reported political alliance between former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 general election, describing it as a betrayal of northern political values and interests.
The group said Kwankwaso’s decision to align with Obi and the Obidient Movement had raised serious questions about his commitment to the ideals upon which the Kwankwasiyya Movement was built.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by group’s Secretary-General, Hafiz Garba, the assembly accused Kwankwaso of abandoning the principles of northern development, dignity and cultural identity that formed the foundation of his political movement.
According to the group, the Kwankwasiyya Movement earned widespread support across the North through educational programmes, empowerment initiatives and advocacy for the region’s advancement.
It argued that the movement’s distinctive identity, symbolised by the red cap, was rooted in the defence of northern interests and historical heritage.
The Assembly alleged that the Obidient Movement and some of its supporters had made remarks considered disrespectful to revered northern leaders, including Sir Ahmadu Bello, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Dan Fodio.
It questioned why Kwankwaso had not publicly challenged such views before entering into a political partnership with Obi.
“The North deserves a clear explanation from Kwankwaso. A leader who built his political career on northern pride cannot remain silent in the face of what many perceive as attacks on the region’s historical icons,” the statement said.
The group further claimed that the alliance signalled a departure from the ideals that attracted millions of supporters to the Kwankwasiyya movement over the years.
It maintained that the reported coalition appeared driven more by political ambition rather than by the interests of northern Nigerians.
The assembly warned that many supporters who identified with the movement’s original vision could feel disappointed by the development.
It described the alliance as a political miscalculation capable of weakening Kwankwaso’s standing among his traditional support base in northern Nigeria.
The group therefore urged northern voters to critically assess emerging political coalitions ahead of the 2027 elections and ensure that regional interests remain protected.
It added that political leaders must remain faithful to the principles upon which they built their public reputations, insisting that personal ambition should not override the values and aspirations of the people they claim to represent.