2023: How INEC Rule May Stop Kwankwaso, Peter Obi Merger

A historic merger between Rabiu Kwankwaso, NNPP, and Peter Obi, Labour Party is being eagerly awaited by fans, oppositions, and political analysts; INEC rule may stop the merger.

 

Newsonline reports that the anticipated merger of the Kwankwaso and Peter Obi will be the biggest announcement in the build-up to the 2023 general election, and a big cause of worry to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

 

Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, a former senator, has massive northern followers, is the presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP.

 

Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State is the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, most youths and celebrities have been drumming for Peter’s candidacy.

 

The two presidential candidates of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP and Labour Party, Kwankwaso and Peter Obi, have been negotiating for a merger to give the ruling APC and the opposition PDP a run for their votes.

 

Kwankwaso who confirmed the negotiation said, ‘We are in talks with Peter Obi and a committee is working to look into how to form a merger between us.

 

“The merger is important because as you can see both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP did not pick their running mates from the South-East.”

 

However, the bridge to cross to ensure the merger works is the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, rule, which prohibits the merging of political parties later than one year before an election date.

 

The 2023 general election will hold in February, which is a big hurdle in the negotiation.

 

READ ALSO: Kwankwaso May Accept To Be Peter Obi’s Running Mate – NNPP Spokesman

 

Reports have stated that Rabiu Kwankwaso is not thinking about being a vice-presidential candidate for another contestant, but is however interested in the merger.

 

Peter Obi has garnered massive followership that has become a nightmare to the ruling All Progressive Congress and opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

 

However, there is a window which Kwankwaso and Peter Obi could take to ensure the historic merger is achieved.

 

While INEC Act prohibits the registration of a political party less than a year before an election; it allows two parties can collapse their structure to support one another for specific positions.

 

It requires political compromise for Rabiu Kwankwaso or Peter Obi, New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP and Labour Party, respectively to collapse their structure.