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| Bola Tinubu, Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar |
Firstsitenews-As the 2027 general elections approach, a fierce political scramble has begun between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and a rising opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with both camps vying for Kano State’s 5.7 million votes.
At the heart of the political tug-of-war is former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who commands a powerful grassroots movement Kwankwasiyya and a loyal base in the state. His political weight is seen as a critical determinant in the forthcoming elections.
Kwankwaso, who contested the 2023 presidential race on the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and finished fourth with 1.49 million votes nearly one million of which came from Kano remains a highly sought-after figure in national politics.
With the Labour Party and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) grappling with internal crises, the APC and the emergent ADC-led coalition are positioning themselves for dominance in 2027. The ADC coalition, spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and featuring political heavyweights like Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rauf Aregbesola, David Mark, and Rotimi Amaechi, is gathering momentum across Nigeria.
Sources within both the APC and the ADC confirmed to Sunday PUNCH that intense behind-the-scenes lobbying is ongoing to secure Kwankwaso’s support or at least neutralize his influence.
While the NNPP remains his current platform, insiders revealed that top figures from both APC and the ADC coalition have engaged Kwankwaso and key NNPP stakeholders in talks aimed at possible alliances or defections.
Confirming ADC’s interest in the former governor, Babachir Lawal, a key figure in the coalition and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, told Sunday PUNCH that several prominent members of the coalition were eager to bring Kwankwaso on board.
“There are efforts to reach out to him. He’s a major asset. Whether he joins us personally or through the NNPP, he’s welcome,” Lawal said, adding that even if Kwankwaso remains in NNPP, many of his loyalists are already gravitating toward the coalition.
He clarified that the ADC coalition prioritizes individuals over party labels: “We’re not chasing logos or letterheads. It’s about the people. Key local players and grassroots leaders are joining us quietly.”
In February, Kwankwaso held a private meeting in Lagos with Rauf Aregbesola, who now serves as interim national secretary of the coalition. Though the details of their discussion remain undisclosed, political observers believe it was part of strategic 2027 alignments.
Meanwhile, the resignation of former APC National Chairman and ex-Kano Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, is widely believed to be a calculated move by the APC to pave the way for Kwankwaso’s return to the party.
NNPP chieftain and Kwankwaso ally, Buba Galadima, recently confirmed that overtures have come from all sides, including APC, PDP, and the ADC coalition. However, he maintained that Kwankwaso is weighing his options and will act strategically when the time is right.
“We know they’re trying to woo him, but he’s being strategic. We’re staying put in our party at least until the political race officially begins,” Galadima said in an interview on Arise TV.
A senior NNPP source also confirmed that talks between the Presidency and Kwankwaso have been ongoing for several weeks, underscoring how high the stakes are for Kano’s electoral prize.
As 2027 draws nearer, all eyes remain on Kano and Kwankwaso the man whose next political move could reshape the balance of power in Nigeria.
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