Kano State Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, has alleged that former Kano governor and NNPP leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, is indirectly working for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that a proposed political arrangement involving Kwankwaso and Labour Party’s Peter Obi is only temporary and unlikely to survive.
Speaking in an interview with ARISW NEWS on Wednesday, he claimed that the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) is no longer viable as a political platform for the 2027 elections, arguing that internal consultations had already produced a consensus on alternative political options involving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The NNPP is no longer a formidable platform for 2027. There was an agreement among critical stakeholders, including Rabiu Kwankwaso, to find a lasting solution ahead of 2027 because the NNPP cannot fly on its own.”
Sanusi further stated that discussions had taken place among key political actors in Kano regarding possible realignments. “With Kwankwaso’s consent, we approached Tinubu and the APC as our Option A to explore joining the party, so that the possibility of joining FEC can come into play.”
He added that Kwankwaso himself initially showed interest in directly engaging President Tinubu over political negotiations but later abandoned the process after travel plans intervened. “Kwankwaso insisted on speaking to President Tinubu before any possible defection. However, after a date was set, he cancelled the appointment, saying he was going to China, and never rescheduled.”
He also dismissed the growing speculation around a potential political alliance between Kwankwaso and Peter Obi, describing it as incompatible with Nigeria’s current political realities. “A Peter Obi-Kwankwaso ticket in Kano is strange. Kwankwaso, a PhD holder, deputising Obi, who only holds a first degree, doesn’t look like the Kwankwaso we know. I don’t see this partnership working.”
Bature maintained that political calculations ahead of 2027 would continue to shift as parties and key actors reposition themselves. “You know, Kano is populated with over 22 million people. And 60% of that population is within the metropolitan area of the city. So to gather people in places like Kano is a very simple thing because of the population.”
“The balance is now Kwankwaso is now alone. It’s a lone politician with maybe 30–40% of his followership before our defection. Now we’ve moved with like 70% of the Kwankwaso supporters to APC.”
Bature argued that a Peter Obi–Kwankwaso presidential ticket would not be successful in Kano. “Kwankwaso Obi ticket cannot fly in Kano. Kwankwaso alone under NNPP was able to secure over a million votes in Kano in 2023. But believe me, in 2027, with Obi as presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as vice presidential candidate, that ticket cannot secure one million votes in Kano, cannot. And time will come, we’ll see.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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