2027 : Kwankwaso weighs final options

With the 2027 general election drawing nearer, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and his party, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), are reassessing their political strategy and exploring potential alliances.

A report by Punch on Saturday indicates that the NNPP is deliberating over a possible partnership with the All Progressives Congress (APC) or joining forces with a coalition spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

“What I can confirm is that Kwankwaso and the NNPP will not contest independently as they did in the 2023 elections,” a reliable party insider disclosed. “Considering the current political landscape, they are weighing the possibility of either joining President Tinubu’s APC or aligning with the coalition led by Atiku, el-Rufai, and others.”

When contacted, NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, confirmed that discussions regarding future political direction are ongoing.

“Well, so far, what I’ll say is this: in the NNPP, we tend to, at least from our own history as the Kwankwasiyya movement, wait till midterm. May 29th will be the midterm for this administration. It will be two years down, and two years to go. That is when we believe that proper politicking will commence,” Johnson explained in an exclusive interview.

“So, yes, we are talking, and we’ve been talking. But you’ll recall that at that time, I told you I didn’t want to mention specifically the groups or persons or movements that are in conversation with us. That is still the position now,” he added.

Addressing speculation about Kwankwaso’s political moves, Johnson acknowledged the numerous reports suggesting a possible shift toward the ruling APC.

““You’ll recall that there have been many publications in newspapers and online, insinuating that Senator Kwankwaso is moving to the APC, that it is imminent and all that. That is just the nature of the game. Some people are pressing or pushing that narrative for their selfish reasons.

“But the bottom line is that very soon, they will begin to hear from us. We will tell our supporters what we are doing. There are basically three cards on the table: either we remain in the NNPP and continue with those who joined us all the way or we form some sort of coalition with Atiku, others; or we form an alliance with the ruling party. I am not saying any of these is the case now. But these are the three basic options that could happen.”