Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the influential leader of the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NNPP), has made it clear that he’s open to political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections—but only on his terms.
Speaking at a gathering of his loyal Kwankwasiyya supporters at his Miller Road residence in Kano, the former Kano State governor declared that any alliance or merger at the national level would require a party to hand him either the presidential ticket or the vice-presidential slot.“At the national level, we are looking for a political party to align with,” Kwankwaso told the crowd. “But it must be a party that will offer me either the presidential ticket or the vice-presidential slot.
”The two-time presidential aspirant, who ran on the NNPP platform in 2023 and finished fourth, dismissed ongoing speculation about his political future, including rumors of overtures from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
He revealed that the APC had approached him, but he turned them down because their offers lacked substance—no top ticket, no deal.Kwankwaso also brushed aside reports suggesting that Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf might defect to the APC, calling such claims baseless and unrealistic.His bold stance has sparked fresh conversations across Nigeria’s political landscape, with analysts noting that it could complicate efforts to build a strong opposition coalition against the APC.
Figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are also maneuvering for position, and Kwankwaso’s insistence on a prime spot signals he won’t settle for a supporting role.
As horse-trading intensifies more than a year before the polls, Kwankwaso’s comments underscore his enduring ambition and the leverage he holds, particularly in the north. Supporters cheered his resolve, seeing it as a sign that their leader remains a major force in Nigerian politics.
Whether any party meets his demand remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Kwankwaso isn’t planning to step aside quietly.
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