President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reportedly weighing the option of selecting former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election—a move that could see Vice President Kashim Shettima replaced.
According to credible sources in Abuja, strategists within Tinubu’s political camp have begun discreet engagements with Kwankwaso, who is currently the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The plan, insiders say, is to woo Kwankwaso back into the All Progressives Congress (APC) as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the party’s grip on northern Nigeria ahead of the next general elections.
Kwankwaso’s immense influence in the North, particularly through his Kwankwasiyya movement, is seen as a valuable asset in what is expected to be a hotly contested race. Tinubu’s advisers believe that pairing with Kwankwaso could significantly boost the APC’s chances of securing re-election by consolidating support in the North-West, especially in Kano State, Nigeria’s second-largest voting bloc with nearly six million registered voters.
Political observers have noted subtle signs of shifting dynamics within the APC. One such signal was the silence of APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, during a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe State. Ganduje, a longtime political rival of Kwankwaso, refrained from affirming support for Vice President Shettima, a move that many interpret as a calculated effort to keep strategic options open.
Kwankwaso, a former Minister of Defence and senator for Kano Central, emerged as a significant political force in the 2023 elections. Although the NNPP finished fourth in the presidential race, the party clinched victory in Kano State, reaffirming his strong grassroots appeal and regional dominance.
As internal consultations continue, the possibility of a Tinubu-Kwankwaso ticket is gaining traction among some APC stakeholders who believe the alliance could reshape the political map ahead of 2027.
