Buba Galadima Defends Obi-Kwankwaso Alliance Against Critics
Buba Galadima, a senior figure in the Nigeria Democratic Congress, said that those who criticize northern leaders for backing the Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso presidential ticket lack knowledge of Nigeria’s political past.
He pointed out that cooperation between the North and the South‑East is not a recent phenomenon, noting the historic partnership between the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) and the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) before and after independence.
Galadima recalled that leaders such as Ahmadu Bello, Kashim Ibrahim, Nnamdi Azikiwe and others worked together during the struggle for independence, illustrating a spirit of unity in diversity that existed before the 1966 military coup disrupted it.
According to him, the fall of the First Republic should not be blamed on civilian politicians; the military bears responsibility for ending the democratic experiment.
He also mentioned the earlier alliance of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar with the South‑East and South‑South regions as another example of cross‑regional cooperation.
Quoting himself, Galadima said, “I have long argued that those who call us names for supporting the Obi‑Kwankwaso ticket are ignorant of our nation’s history. The northern leaders, led by Ahmadu Bello and Kashim Ibrahim, joined forces with NCNC figures like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Ndili and Chief Melford Okilo to fight for independence.”
He continued, “When independence came in 1960, Azikiwe became president and commander‑in‑chief, while Tafawa Balewa, representing the NPC, served as prime minister. That government reflected the full spectrum of Nigerian society.”
“That unity was shattered in 1966 by a military intervention. I hold the military, not the civilian leaders or the general public, responsible for the collapse of the First Republic.”
Galadima added, “We have been labelled in various ways by critics, even from opposition parties, instead of uniting against the APC government. We obtained Peter Obi through Atiku, who previously ran with him as his vice‑presidential candidate.”
“If supporters of Atiku can accept his past running mates, there is no basis for accusing us of promoting Igbo interests alone,” he concluded.
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