Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has cautioned political observers against assuming in advance who may become the running mate of Peter Obi if he eventually secures the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket.....…
In an interview with Daily Trust, Dalung stressed that it is misleading to conclude ... early that Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso would automatically emerge as Obi’s vice-presidential candidate, noting that such decisions are usually shaped by party negotiations and wider electoral considerations.
He explained that history shows how unpredictable such choices can be, referencing the 1999 political transition. According to him, after former President Olusegun Obasanjo emerged as the presidential candidate, “Sule Lamido and Abubakar Rimi were the contenders for vice president and names being associated with Obasanjo,” but the final decision only came after the party assessed what would strengthen its chances at the polls.
Dalung added that, in the end, the party prioritised a ticket it believed could win the election, leading to the selection of an elected governor as vice president rather than earlier speculated options.
He also drew a parallel with the 2015 general elections, noting that former President Muhammadu Buhari initially had preferences regarding his running mate, but changing political realities and the need to balance national support influenced the final outcome.
Dalung reiterated that the same principle applies in today’s political environment, stressing that nothing is final until party processes are completed and legal uncertainties are resolved. He noted that the ADC’s eventual ticket would only become clearer after the Supreme Court rules and the party concludes its internal arrangements…....…
