By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano
In Nigeria’s political landscape, there is a general saying that, “when Kano sneezes, everywhere catches cold.”‘ This popular political parlance, which positioned the commercial nerve centre of the North, in the front pew of Nigeria’s political calculations, is coming to bear as the race for the 2027 general elections intensifies, particularly, the governorship and presidential races.
The shape of what to expect in the 2027 election cycle in Kano came to the limelight on Friday, 29 May, 2026, when the ‘Grand Commander’ of the Kwankwasiyya Political Movement, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, presented the immediate-past Deputy Governor of Kano state, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, as the governorship candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the state for the 2027 general election.
Speaking at the event, Gwarzo who resigned his position as Deputy Governor in protest over the decamping of his former boss, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, from the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC), openly vowed to wrestle power from the incumbent in the 2027 governorship election. Gwarzo, a loyal political godson to Senator Kwankwaso, affirmed that Governor Yusuf’s cross-carpeting from NNPP to the APC was a gross political miscalculation, and “betrayal” against Senator Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
Governor Yusuf’s official Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa has repeteadly asserted that that Kwankwaso was duly informed about Governor’s move from NNPP to the APC. However, the spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Dr. Habibu Saleh Mohammed, in an interview with our Correspondent, insisted that Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya Movement was never privy to Governor Yusuf’s decision to abandon the Kwankwasiyya Movement and its political platform to the APC. Dr. Mohammed maintained tha Yusuf’s decision was never in the interest of “Kano First,” as the Governor claimed, “but for his own selfish political aggrandizement.”
The announcement of Comrade Gwarzo’s as the governorship candidate of the NDC was made at the end of a stakeholders’ meeting that lasted from Thursday night into the early hours of Friday (29 May) at Kwankwaso’s Bompai residence within the state capital. A statement by Comrade Gwarzo’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, affirmed the decision of the party stakeholders.
In the same vein, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 elections who recently defected to the NDC, was nominated as the party’s candidate for the Kano Central Senatorial District. He will be challenging the APC candidate, former Governor of the state and former Minister of Education, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau; among other senatorial candidates from other political parties for the Kano Central Senatorial seat.
Indeed, the emergence of Comrade Gwarzo as the NDC governorship candidate has set the stage for a titanic battle between incumbent Governor Yusuf and his former Deputy, Gwarzo. In fact, Gwarzo had advised his former boss to start packing his loads from Kano Government House, as he insisted that the Governor has less than one year to spend as Kano state Governor.
Analysts believe that Gwarzo’s biggest asset in the political battle of 2027 comes from his alignment with Kwankwaso, who remains a substantive political threat in Kano State, having personally won the governorship twice. A former Defence Minister and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senator Kwankwaso also ensured the victory of the sitting Governor Yusuf in 2023 governorship election.
However, the spokesman of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Dr. Mohammed maintained that Gwarzo’s emergence was seamless, adding that Gawuna was fully part of the decision-making process, even as many had believed that Gawuna would be handed over the NDC governorship ticket.
He said: “He (Gawuna) was not only consulted, but he was also actually part of the entire process to the end.” Ikechikwu Agara, a resident of the Sabon Garri area in the state, predominantly dominated by non-natives, said Peter Obi’s presidential candidacy is a big plus to Gwarzo’s victory as Kano state Governor in 2027. He believes the non-indigenes in Kano will overwhelmingly vote for Gwarzo for governor and Obi for president.
However, concerned non-indigenes in Kano have declared their total support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Yusuf, ahead the 2027 general elections in the state. Their declaration followed Dr. Peter Obi and Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso political alliance popularly known as “OK” which is gaining momentum in the NDC.
In a statement signed by their Convener, Hon. Seyi Olorunsola, the concerned non-indigenes resident in Kano, distanced themselves from, “any proposed political alliance involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, reaffirming their support for the administration and re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” The statement dismissed what it described as ongoing political speculations aimed at portraying residents of Sabon Gari and other non-indigene communities in Kano as supporters of an alliance between Obi and Kwankwaso ahead of the next election cycle.
According to Olorunsola, the non-indigene population across the state remains committed to the ruling All Progressives Congress and the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of the Tinubu administration. ” We wish to categorically state that the non-indigene communities across Kano State are not part of such arrangements and do not subscribe to any political coalition aimed at misleading Nigerians ahead of future elections,” he said.
He added that members of the community believe the current administration is laying a solid foundation for economic recovery, inclusiveness and national development. “The people of Sabon Gari and the larger non-indigene population in Kano remain committed to progressive politics, national unity, economic development and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu,” the statement read.
Olorunsola also praised ongoing infrastructural projects and governance initiatives in Kano State, noting that non-indigenes have continued to enjoy acceptance and development under the current administration in the state. “With the level of love, acceptance and the massive infrastructural developments currently ongoing within non-indigene communities across Kano State, it is evident that non-indigenes fully understand the importance of good governance and people-oriented leadership,” he stated.
He maintained that the visible projects across Sabon Gari and other commercial hubs in the state would further strengthen support for the APC in future elections. The group warned political actors against dragging Kano non-indigenes into what it termed “opportunistic political alliances” without consultation or broad-based acceptance.
“Our people are politically conscious and will continue to support leaders and policies that promote peace, stability, business growth and national development,” Olorunsola added. Olorunsola urged politicians to desist from using the name of non-indigenes in Kano for “selfish political propaganda,” insisting that the community remains united in its support for leadership it believes can guarantee a better future for Nigerians.
Governor Yusuf is not relaxing. He shows no sign of fear for any impending defeat. He was adopted as the APC consensus governorship candidate at an elaborate party congress held at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, attended by party leaders, elected officials, delegates and enthusiastic supporters, with Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin moving the motion for his affirmation and describing him as having demonstrated exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to the development of Kano State. Addressing a large crowd of supporters upon his return from APC activities in Abuja, the governor dismissed the chances of opposition parties, declaring: “APC in Kano State is the only winning party. There is no other party that can take control of Kano and Nigeria, by the grace of Allah.”
Governor Yusuf Not Shaken
Governor Yusuf’s official Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, in an exclusive interview with our Correspondent insisted that the immediate-past Deputy Governor of Kano state, Comrade Gwarzo, “does not have the required political clouts to win Governorship election in Kano. In 2023, NNPP lost at his polling unit, ward, and at his Gwarzo Local Government Area, despite being a governorship running mate of the party.”. Bature further stated that, “the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket is dead on arrival. That ticket cannot win Sabon Gari talk less of Kano in general. It is a bad combination of bigots, ethnocentric and political mongers who are all out to be in the ballot in exchange of money, coming either as campaign donations, or otherwise.”
According to him, ”with the concerted effort of the critical stakeholders under the able leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, APC stands a big chance of a landslide victory at all positions come 2027. On a general note, Kwankwaso has lost ground already. He is more like an empty politician with blind followers who believe he is a serious politician not knowing that he is a selfish one.”
Bature insisted that Governor Yusuf has fulfilled over 90 per cent of his campaign promises to the people of Kano within three years in office.
He said Governor Yusuf remains committed to delivering democratic dividends through people-oriented policies and impactful developmental projects across various sectors. According to Bature, significant progress has been recorded in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, water supply, youth empowerment and economic development, all aimed at improving the living standards of residents and repositioning Kano State for sustainable growth. Governor Yusuf has reaffirmed his commitment to completing the remaining promises before the end of his tenure and sustaining the pace of development across the nooks and crannies of the state.
However, the NDC, APC political tussle got almost bloody last week when irate thugs allegedly burnt Obi-Kwankwaso presidential posters in some parts of the state. The incident also involved the NDC chairman in Ungogo Local Government Area, Bilyaminu Bachirawa, who was allegedly dragged from a moving motorcycle during the unrest. According to reports, Bachirawa narrowly escaped being lynched as angry youths pursued the motorcycle while shouting and attempting to attack him. The development comes barely 48 hours after the NDC formally unveiled Obi as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The party had, penultimate Saturday evening, announced Obi’s emergence as its presidential flag-bearer flagbearer. Shortly after securing the ticket, the former Anambra State governor unveiled Kwankwaso as his running mate. Obi and Kwankwaso had defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the NDC, citing internal disagreements and protracted legal disputes within their former party.
Members of the NDC and the Kwankwasiyya Movement alleged that Kano state government and the APC sponsored the irate thugs.
However, Bature disassociated Kano state government from the incident. He said: “As government, we are not aware of such allegations.”
