Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has ruled out any possibility of Rabiu Kwankwaso, Kano’s political strongman, aligning with President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 election.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Galadima accused the Tinubu administration of mistreating both Kwankwaso and the NNPP in Kano. He cited the Federal Government’s support for the ousted Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, despite his removal by Governor Abba Kabir of the NNPP.
“How can Kwankwaso befriend the APC when they are undermining us in Kano? They appointed two emirs in one town. Who has the legal duty to appoint emirs and pay their salaries?” Galadima asked.
He criticised the Federal Government for deploying security forces to guard Ado-Bayero, while violent attacks continued in some parts of Kano.
Galadima declared that the NNPP would determine Nigeria’s president in 2027, dismissing any suggestion that Kwankwaso might back Tinubu or the APC.
“No Kano emir has ever decided a presidential victory, and Kwankwaso has not told me he intends to support the APC. He is the strongest political iroko in Nigeria today because he challenged the APC and defeated them in Kano,” he said.
He further alleged that the Federal Government was using security agencies to destabilise Kano, insisting that the courts had no role in chieftaincy matters.
Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, Kano has consistently recorded the highest voter turnout, making it a battleground for presidential hopefuls. In 2023, Kwankwaso dominated in 38 out of 44 local government areas, winning nearly a million votes in the state.