Kano State’s 5.7 million votes have become the most coveted prize as Nigeria heads into the 2027 general elections. The ruling APC and the opposition ADC coalition are both determined to secure the support of Rabiu Kwankwaso, whose Kwankwasiyya Movement commands significant grassroots loyalty.
Kwankwaso’s performance in the 2023 presidential race, where he polled nearly 1.5 million votes—most of them from Kano—has made him a kingmaker in the upcoming elections. His dominance in Kano, where he outperformed even the APC, has not gone unnoticed.
The ADC coalition, now a formidable force with Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rauf Aregbesola, and others, is rapidly gaining ground. Meanwhile, the PDP and Labour Party continue to struggle with internal divisions, leaving the APC and ADC as the main contenders.
Sources confirm that both camps are actively negotiating with Kwankwaso and his associates. Lawal, a key ADC coalition leader, stated, “It will be a big advantage if he joins us,” highlighting ongoing efforts to bring Kwankwaso into their fold.
Lawal also stressed the coalition’s focus on individuals rather than party structures, noting, “Even if Kwankwaso doesn’t join the ADC, quite a large number of some of his people will join us on an individual basis.”
In February, a strategic meeting between Kwankwaso and Aregbesola in Lagos fueled speculation about a possible alliance. NNPP’s Buba Galadima confirmed that both APC and ADC have been making overtures, but Kwankwaso remains undecided.
The resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje as APC National Chairman is widely seen as an attempt to clear the way for Kwankwaso’s entry into the APC, as President Tinubu seeks to lock down Kano’s votes.
A senior NNPP member acknowledged ongoing talks with both the APC and ADC, stating, “Because of his popularity among Nigerians, many political parties want Kwankwaso in their party.”
APC’s Arodiogbu is confident that Kwankwaso will ultimately side with the APC, dismissing the ADC coalition as a group of “internally displaced politicians” and cautioning that joining them would harm Kwankwaso’s reputation.
Supporters of Kwankwaso are growing restless over his silence, with some defecting to other parties. The NNPP remains divided, with one faction labeling Kwankwaso a liability and the other hailing his leadership.