Kwankwaso says Kano politics will decide 2027, insisting Governor Yusuf’s alliance with Ganduje has weakened his chances of reelection.
Former Kano State governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has declared that the political future of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is already in jeopardy ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing what he described as a fatal miscalculation within Kano politics.
Speaking during an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Kwankwaso offered his first detailed public reaction since his political fallout with Governor Yusuf.
According to him, the governor’s decision to align with former Kano governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje marked a turning point that may permanently damage his reelection prospects.
Kwankwaso said the symbolic moment that convinced him of Yusuf’s political decline was when Ganduje publicly raised the governor’s hand after his reported defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He argued that the action sent a powerful signal to voters about where the governor’s loyalty now lies.
“In Kano politics, symbols matter,” Kwankwaso stated.
“When I saw Ganduje raising his hand, it told us everything we needed to know. That moment showed clearly that he had crossed over completely.”
The former senator dismissed claims that Ganduje possesses the political influence needed to determine electoral outcomes in Kano State.
He argued that if Ganduje truly commanded widespread support, he would have secured victories during the 2019 and 2023 elections.
“If Ganduje had that kind of influence, he would have delivered elections in the past,” Kwankwaso said.
“But the people of Kano rejected him, and that rejection was clear when we won the last election despite being the weaker party with minimal institutional backing.”
Kwankwaso described Governor Yusuf’s defection as a betrayal of the trust placed in him by NNPP members and Kano voters.
According to him, the mandate given to Yusuf was based on the ideology and structure of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, not on any alliance with rival political camps.
“He took a mandate that belonged to the NNPP and the people of Kano and handed it over to the Gandujiyya political structure without a convincing explanation,” Kwankwaso said.
“That decision did not reflect the wishes of those who voted for him.”
Reflecting on the collapse of their political relationship, Kwankwaso admitted he remains puzzled by the developments.
He said he had spent time reflecting on the situation but could not identify any justification for the governor’s decision.
“I ask myself many questions,” he said.
“Was it my fault? Was it the party’s fault? Were the party members responsible? Up till now, I cannot find a clear answer.”
Kwankwaso also rejected claims by Governor Yusuf and other defectors that they still subscribe to the Kwankwasiyya ideology despite leaving the NNPP.
He insisted that the movement is built on a distinct political philosophy that cannot be sustained outside its organisational structure.
“Our ideology is not something you pick and choose,” he said.
“If you believe in Kwankwasiyya, you stay within its base and continue the struggle there. Wearing a red cap does not make you Kwankwasiyya. To us, such individuals are now aligned with Gandujiyya.”
Addressing allegations of an internal crisis within the NNPP, which the governor reportedly cited as justification for his defection, Kwankwaso dismissed the claims as exaggerated.
He explained that disagreements are common in political parties and do not amount to a crisis.
“There is no political party anywhere without internal disagreements,” he said. “That is the nature of politics. Our leadership structure remains intact, and the movement is stable.”
The former Kano Central senator warned that the governor would eventually regret his decision, arguing that aligning with Ganduje places him on the wrong side of Kano politics.
“Now that he is no longer with us, he is fully with Ganduje,” Kwankwaso said.
“Whether he comes back or not, this decision will haunt him politically.”
Kwankwaso further rejected claims that the defection had weakened his political relevance.
Instead, he argued that the development has strengthened the resolve of the Kwankwasiyya Movement to continue its political struggle.
“Some people think we have lost relevance because of this,” he said.
“But this disappointment has only strengthened our determination. We did not anticipate this level of betrayal, but Kano remains with us.”
He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to political reform, not just in Kano but across the country.
“Kano politics will always be central to our mission,” Kwankwaso said.
“Beyond Kano, we are working toward bringing positive change to Nigeria as a whole.”
Ireport247news
