KANO, Nigeria (AP) — Former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has dismissed speculation that he is secretly working to advance President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, calling the claims “foolish.”
Speaking in a televised interview Wednesday night, Kwankwaso said rumors of his alignment with Tinubu have circulated since his time in the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). The allegations resurfaced after Sanusi Bature, spokesperson for Kano Governor Abba Yusuf, suggested Kwankwaso had indirectly supported Tinubu in 2023 and sought a direct meeting with the president.
Kwankwaso, now a member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), rejected the claims outright. “Only foolish people would believe that. We are not working for anybody. We are only working for the NDC,” he said. While acknowledging Tinubu as a “senior brother and good friend,” Kwankwaso stressed that their political paths remain separate.
The former defense minister argued that Tinubu may be unaware of Nigeria’s challenges because advisers around him are “actually the ones creating the problems.” He added that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) remains dominant largely due to its control of state governors.
Kwankwaso recently joined forces with former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi under the NDC, with discussions ongoing about a possible joint presidential ticket. He said the party zoned its ticket to the South and concluded Obi was “the best candidate” from that region. Kwankwaso emphasized that his popularity in the North would help Obi galvanize support across the country. “We are just in the field, working very hard,” he said, noting that the coalition has “enough time” before the 2027 election to convince voters.
Kwankwaso’s remarks come amid growing speculation about alliances ahead of the next presidential race, with opposition figures exploring coalitions to challenge the APC’s dominance.
