APC Kano Claims No Need for Kwankwaso in 2027 Elections

A high‑ranking member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Seyi Olorunsola, has asserted that the party can secure victory in the 2027 elections for President Bola Tinubu and all APC candidates in the state without relying on Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Olorunsola, who serves as the convener of the Tinubu/Barau/Atah Movement, made the claim during a press conference in Kano on Sunday.

According to Olorunsola, the APC in Kano has devised a winning strategy that does not depend on Kwankwaso’s influence. He accused President Tinubu and APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda of giving Kwankwaso undue attention and argued that Kwankwaso’s sway is outweighed by the combined strength of Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Minister of State for Housing Yusuf Abdullahi Atah, and Senator Kawu Sumaila. The Tinubu/Barau/Atah Movement is backing Barau Jibrin as the APC governorship candidate for 2027, with Atah as his running mate.

Olorunsola claimed that Kwankwaso is aware of this arrangement and is attempting to disrupt it because of Barau’s growing popularity in the state. He also revisited the 2023 Kano governorship election, maintaining that the APC originally won before the Supreme Court overturned the result. He warned President Tinubu not to overestimate Kwankwaso’s political value, stating that Tinubu should not assume Kwankwaso will deliver votes in Kano. While emphasizing that Tinubu is the party leader and the country’s president, Olorunsola noted that Tinubu cannot dictate how to win Kano and added that if Kwankwaso wishes to join the APC, he must adhere to the party’s rules and regulations.

The development highlights the complexities of Nigerian politics, particularly in Kano State, where alliances and rivalries are constantly shifting. As the 2027 elections approach, the APC and its candidates will need to navigate these dynamics to achieve success. Olorunsola’s statement signals confidence that the party can win without Kwankwaso’s involvement, though how this will unfold in the coming months remains to be seen.