As the 2027 general election approaches, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has become the focus of intense political courtship from both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and a growing opposition coalition.
Party insiders confirmed to Daily Post that key northern opposition leaders are ramping up efforts to pull Kwankwaso into their fold, seeing him as a critical asset in the forthcoming presidential contest.
A high-ranking NNPP source disclosed on Sunday, “Kwankwaso is being pressured to join the coalition. Of course, Tinubu’s men are also in talks with him. But as we all know, people no longer want to associate with this government.”
Despite overtures from both ends of the political divide, Kwankwaso is said to be weighing his options carefully.
The source further stated, “I can tell you that as it is right now, our leader in the person of Kwankwaso is yet to make a decision on whether to join the coalition movement or the ruling party.
“However, his weight is more on the coalition because, like I said, APC is not a party to reckon with.”
The source added that the outcome of these political manoeuvres may become clearer in the coming months as the electioneering season takes shape.
Kwankwaso’s political relevance stems largely from his control of Kano State, which is regarded as a key battleground due to its high voting population.
The insider said, “Kwankwaso is currently the new bride and the reason is because Kano State is one of the states that produces the largest number of votes in the country.
“So, both the APC and the opposition understand that if they are able to capture Kwankwaso, they have captured Kano State.”
According to him, the NNPP presidential candidate commands a grassroots network and unwavering loyalty across northern Nigeria.
In a related development, the NNPP Chairman in Kano State, Hashimu Dungurawa, echoed the movement’s loyalty to Kwankwaso’s leadership, noting that his decision would be binding on party faithful.
“We are his blind followers, wherever he is taking us, we will follow him, we don’t have a problem,” Dungurawa told Daily Post.