News reports that Kwankwaso made the remarks on Saturday during the fifth convocation ceremony of Skyline University of Nigeria in Kano State.

The former Kano State governor said his experience working with Obi over the past few months had convinced him that the former Anambra State governor could not be associated with corruption.

Kwankwaso also identified education as one of the major areas where both politicians share similar views, promising that an NDC-led government would prioritise free education.

He maintained that no Nigerian child should be prevented from accessing education because their parents could not afford school fees and other related expenses.

Speaking at the event, Kwankwaso said, “One thing I noted in the last few months that we have been working together, is that Peter Obi is incorruptible. He’s not somebody that you can go and start thinking of corruption around him, and that is very key in governance in this country.

“We have so much in common, especially in the issue of education. We believe that together it will be extremely difficult to see how any child will go around in this part of the country or elsewhere begging for what to eat.

“In other words, we are working towards free education to ensure that our children are not denied going to school because the parents cannot afford to pay school fees or other expenses.”

Meanwhile, Obi pledged to revive abandoned and struggling industries in Kano State as part of efforts to boost economic activities and generate employment opportunities.

The former Anambra governor described Kano as a critical centre of Nigeria’s economic development, arguing that any meaningful attempt to rebuild the country’s economy must begin with the state.

Obi said, “If we want to fix the North and Nigeria, we must start from Kano. This town represents the soul of Nigeria.”

Bala made the disclosure during an interview with journalists on Saturday, dismissing allegations that he was receiving financial backing from external political interests.

Naija News reports that the ADC factional leader spoke amid questions surrounding the source of funds for his faction and his decision to challenge the party’s leadership in court against the camp led by former Senate President, David Mark.

Some political stakeholders have accused Bala of collaborating with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency to destabilise the ADC and weaken its opposition structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, Bala rejected the allegations, insisting that his faction relied largely on membership dues and contributions generated through its internal activities.

He also identified himself as a businessman with multiple sources of income, maintaining that he had the financial capacity to meet the costs of his personal security and legal proceedings.

Addressing concerns over his security arrangements, Bala argued that he was entitled to personal protection like other prominent politicians. He questioned why the resources used to secure him had become a subject of public controversy.

On the ongoing legal dispute over the party’s leadership, Bala explained that his decision to approach the court was motivated by the need to protect the ADC constitution and uphold the rule of law.

He insisted that his legal action had nothing to do with political influence, financial strength or personal ambition.

Bala also commented on the continued appearance of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and David Mark on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal despite the court judgment that removed them from their respective positions.

According to him, INEC would take the appropriate steps once it received the certified true copy of the judgment, suggesting that the commission might not yet have obtained the official court documents.

He dismissed suggestions that the electoral umpire was deliberately refusing to implement the ruling, arguing that the continued appearance of their names on its portal did not indicate that INEC was disregarding the court’s decision.

The ADC factional leader further rejected calls suggesting that the large crowds attracted by the party during its political rallies in Sokoto and Kebbi should have persuaded him to discontinue the court case.

Explaining his determination to pursue the matter, Bala said: “I went to court with only the Constitution. I told the world that if they had followed the right procedures, the court should rule in their favour. But if we were right, we should be given our rights.”

He maintained that political popularity, connections and financial resources should never give anyone the privilege to disregard established rules and procedures.

Bala warned that Nigeria could not make meaningful progress if influential individuals were allowed to operate above the law.

He also accused some individuals involved in the leadership dispute of circulating fake documents claiming that he had resigned from his position, describing the reports as misleading.

Speaking about his relationship with Atiku, Bala described the former vice president as a father figure, noting that both of them hailed from the same geopolitical zone.

However, he expressed disappointment that Atiku had not personally reached out to him despite the prolonged leadership crisis. He also lamented that some party members continued to portray him as an enemy of the ADC.

Despite the ongoing dispute, Bala disclosed that his faction had instructed all its aspirants to continue their campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He insisted that the legal battle would not disrupt the faction’s political activities and urged members of the opposing camp to exercise patience and respect the judicial process.

He further called on them to complete their membership registration in their respective wards in accordance with the party’s constitution.