The National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the All Progressives Congress, Ijeoma Arodiogbu, has dismissed rumours that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and NNPP leader Rabiu Kwankwaso may be planning a political alliance ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said there is no way the former Kano governor will team up with Atiku in any political arrangement.
Arodiogbu spoke to Punch News following renewed speculation triggered by Atiku’s friendly public message during Kwankwaso’s 69th birthday.
APC believes Kwankwaso is better off with the ruling party
The APC chief said Kwankwaso is an experienced politician who would gain more by working with the ruling party.
“We believe it will be to the best of his advantage to join the APC,” he said.
He added that any such move would happen before the end of the year.
“There is no way Kwankwaso will leave his party and form an alliance with Atiku. I don’t see that happening,” he added.
When asked whether Atiku could have offered Kwankwaso a better deal than President Bola Tinubu, Arodiogbu dismissed the idea sharply.
He asked, “Will he now decamp to join Atiku in whatever party he is? There is no way Atiku can offer him anything meaningful.”
He added that Atiku has reached the end of his political road and accused him of not knowing when to quit.
“Atiku is going nowhere,” Arodiogbu says
Arodiogbu .He said, “He is no different from a boy drawing a car in the sand with his finger and trying to drive it. Is he going anywhere? That’s how I see Atiku.”
According to him, Kwankwaso is wiser and would not make the mistake of aligning with Atiku.
Alliance talk grows as 2027 politics heats up
The comments come amid increased political manoeuvring in the North, where both men still have strong followings.
Atiku recently called Kwankwaso a steadfast patriot in a widely shared birthday message, fuelling fresh speculation of possible cooperation.
Kwankwaso, however, has publicly denied claims that he plans to join the APC, saying such reports are just “online statements” with no basis.
In a statement, Kwankwaso’s media team also dismissed similar claims pushed by APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe, warning journalists against publishing unverified rumours.
Despite the denials, insiders believe both sides may still be keeping informal channels open as the APC works to strengthen its northern base ahead of 2027.
