Bature Claims Kwankwaso Working For Tinubu Ahead Of 2027 Elections

Sanusi Bature has alleged that former Kano State governor and leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, is indirectly working for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interview on Wednesday, Bature claimed that the NNPP was no longer a viable political platform for the 2027 elections.

According to him, critical stakeholders within the movement had already explored alternative political arrangements involving the ruling All Progressives Congress.

“The NNPP is no longer a formidable platform for 2027. There was an agreement among critical stakeholders, including Rabiu Kwankwaso, to find a lasting solution ahead of 2027 because the NNPP cannot fly on its own,” he said.

Bature further disclosed that discussions were held with the APC leadership regarding a possible political alignment.

“With Kwankwaso’s consent, we approached Tinubu and the APC as our Option A to explore joining the party, so that the possibility of joining FEC can come into play,” he stated.

He claimed Kwankwaso initially planned to personally meet Tinubu over the political negotiations but later cancelled the arrangement.

“Kwankwaso insisted on speaking to President Tinubu before any possible defection. However, after a date was set, he cancelled the appointment, saying he was going to China, and never rescheduled,” Bature alleged.

The Kano government spokesperson also dismissed speculation about a potential alliance between Kwankwaso and Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, such a partnership would struggle politically in Kano State and may not survive long-term.

“A Peter Obi-Kwankwaso ticket in Kano is strange. Kwankwaso, a PhD holder, deputising Obi, who only holds a first degree, doesn’t look like the Kwankwaso we know. I don’t see this partnership working,” he said.

Bature maintained that political calculations ahead of 2027 would continue to evolve as parties and politicians reposition themselves across the country.

He also claimed that a significant number of Kwankwaso’s supporters had already defected to the APC.

“The balance is now Kwankwaso is now alone. It’s a lone politician with maybe 30–40% of his followership before our defection. Now we’ve moved with like 70% of the Kwankwaso supporters to APC,” he stated.

According to him, a presidential ticket involving Obi and Kwankwaso would fail to replicate the NNPP’s 2023 electoral strength in Kano State.

“Kwankwaso alone under NNPP was able to secure over a million votes in Kano in 2023. But believe me, in 2027, with Obi as presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as vice presidential candidate, that ticket cannot secure one million votes in Kano,” Bature added.