Obi, Kwankwaso visit Sultan, call for unity, security

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, have called for greater national unity and improved security during a visit to the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.

The NDC presidential team met the Sultan in Sokoto on Monday ahead of their planned town-hall engagements in the state.

Obi said the delegation discussed the need to strengthen national unity, improve security, reduce poverty, create jobs and restore public confidence in Nigeria.

He also said they used the visit to condole with the Sultan over the recent death of the Sardauna of Sokoto.

According to Obi, the Sultan recalled his long-standing relationship with him, which dates back to 1980 when Obi was a first-year student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Obi said the monarch also reminded the delegation that leadership comes with responsibility and that those who hold public office would eventually answer for their actions.

He added that the Sultan identified security, poverty and unemployment as major issues requiring urgent attention.

The former Anambra State governor said the Sultan further urged Nigerians to view the country’s ethnic and cultural diversity as a source of strength rather than division.

Obi and Kwankwaso are contesting the 2027 presidential election on the NDC platform, after previously running against each other in the 2023 election.

Obi contested the 2023 election under the Labour Party, while Kwankwaso ran on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party.