S’East has been North’s ally, we must forgive ourselves, Kwankwaso

Rabiu Kwankwaso, a prominent Nigerian politician and presidential hopeful for 2027, has urged for a revival of political cooperation between Northern Nigeria and the South-East. Speaking in an interview with BBC Igbo, Kwankwaso highlighted the long-standing history of alliance between the two regions, stressing the need for reconciliation and national unity.

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We have to forgive ourselves. We have to work together as a family. South-East has been our ally, our friends, over the years.

Kwankwaso invoked Nigeria's post-Civil War history, emphasizing that leaders at the time prioritized forgiveness and inclusion. He pointed to the First Republic's alliance between the Northern People's Congress (NPC) and the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), led by Nnamdi Azikiwe. He also referenced the Second Republic, where President Shehu Shagari and the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) collaborated closely with politicians from the South-East.

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During our own time, or the time of our fathers, grandfathers in politics, in the First Republic, you could see the NPC then, which is mainly northern political party, had an alliance with the NCNC, headed by Nnamdi Azikiwe.

"South-East has been our ally, our friends, over the years," Kwankwaso stated, underscoring the familial bond he believes should exist. He recalled attending the burial of former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, whom he described as a friend of the North, and noted that Ekwueme was brought into national politics as Vice President in the Second Republic, demonstrating a commitment to unity.

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Even the Second Republic, you could see our leaders, Shagari and co, of course, went coincidentally to the Southeast and even Anambra State, even Azikiwe himself from Anambra State, and so on and so forth. So our leaders had foresight

Furthermore, Kwankwaso mentioned the return of the late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, from exile. He noted that despite Ojukwu's leadership during the Biafran War, Northern political leaders facilitated his return and participation in democratic politics, even allowing him to contest a Senate seat under the NPN. Kwankwaso believes these historical precedents offer a valuable lesson for contemporary Nigerian politics, advocating for a return to such inclusive practices.

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The Civil War was finished in 1970. In 1978 and 1979, when democracy came back, the first thing they said was, ‘Look, they are not our enemies. Let's prove to them. Let's bring them. Let's work together.’