Kwankwaso Working For Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election, Obi Alliance Temporary — Bature

A fresh wave of political speculation has emerged ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election after the spokesperson to the Kano State governor, Sanusi Bature, alleged that former Kano governor and NNPP influential figure, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is working behind the scenes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Bature made the claims on Wednesday during an interview on ARISE News, where he also dismissed reports of a potential political alliance between Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and Kwankwaso, describing such a partnership as politically unstable and unlikely to endure.

“There are people who are working for Tinubu directly and indirectly, Kwankwaso is working for Tinubu behind the scene for 2027,” Bature said during the interview.

The remarks immediately added a new layer to ongoing political recalibrations across opposition and ruling party blocs, as early alignments begin to take shape ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Bature questioned the viability of a potential Obi–Kwankwaso ticket, particularly in Kano State, where Kwankwaso maintains a strong political base and influence.

“A Peter Obi-Kwankwaso ticket in Kano is strange,” he said.

He further argued that the structure of such a partnership would be difficult to sustain politically, citing differences in background and prior political positions.

“Kwankwaso, a PhD holder, deputising Obi, who only holds a first degree, doesn’t look like the Kwankwaso we know, the same Kwankwaso who said Obi is an agent of Biafra, the same Kwankwaso we know is a straightforward person and would want to contribute to this country. That arrangement is temporary, I don’t see this partnership working,” he added.

Bature also cast doubt on the electoral strength of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), arguing that it may no longer be a viable platform for a presidential contest in 2027.

According to him, internal discussions have been ongoing among key stakeholders within the party regarding possible political realignments ahead of the next general election.

“The NNPP is no longer a formidable platform for 2027,” he said.

He added that consultations had reportedly involved influential figures within the party, including Kwankwaso, aimed at identifying what he described as a “lasting solution” ahead of the elections.

Bature further claimed that one of the options being considered by stakeholders was alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and support for President Tinubu’s political structure.

“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,” he said.

“With Kwankwaso’s consent, we approached Tinubu and the APC as our Option A to explore joining the party.”

The Kano State government spokesperson also alleged that Kwankwaso had earlier insisted on a direct meeting with President Tinubu before any formal political arrangement could proceed, describing the president as a personal acquaintance.

However, he claimed the meeting did not hold after Kwankwaso reportedly cancelled the scheduled engagement.

“Kwankwaso insisted on speaking to President Tinubu before any possible defection because the president is his friend. However, after a date was set, he cancelled the appointment, saying he was going to China, and never rescheduled,” Bature said.

The claims come amid early political manoeuvring across Nigeria’s major political blocs, as alliances, defections, and counter-claims intensify well ahead of the official campaign season.

Neither Kwankwaso nor the NNPP has publicly responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.