Sanusi Bature, spokesperson to Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, has alleged that Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), is indirectly advancing President Bola Tinubu’s interests ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In an interview with Arise News on Wednesday, Bature said Kwankwaso may be working behind the scenes in ways that could benefit Tinubu.
“There are those who work with Tinubu openly and directly in the public space, and there are those who work for him behind the scenes,” Bature said.
“I believe whatever Kwankwaso is doing will ultimately favour Tinubu. Kwankwaso worked for Tinubu in 2023.
“I am a member of the APC and I was the opposition spokesperson in Kano. I know what happened in 2023. I believe Kwankwaso is working for Tinubu in 2027 behind the scenes.”
He also claimed that any possible political arrangement between Kwankwaso and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) would be unstable due to shifting political alliances in Kano.
“The NNPP is no longer a strong platform for 2027,” he said.
“There was an agreement among key stakeholders, including Kwankwaso, to find a lasting solution ahead of 2027 because the NNPP cannot stand on its own.”
Bature added that some political actors in Kano, allegedly with Kwankwaso’s consent, identified the All Progressives Congress (APC) as “Option A” for realignment, including possible roles in the federal executive council.
He also claimed Kwankwaso once sought a meeting with President Tinubu over political discussions but later cancelled and did not reschedule.
On a possible Kwankwaso–Obi alliance, he said it would not work politically.
“A Peter Obi–Kwankwaso ticket in Kano is strange. Kwankwaso, a PhD holder, deputising Obi, who holds a bachelor’s degree, does not reflect the Kwankwaso we know,” he said.
He added that such a ticket would perform poorly in Kano despite Kwankwaso’s strong 2023 showing.
