2027: Kwankwaso Keeps Mum On Alliance With Obi, Defection Rumour, Says Speculations “Premature”
By Olumuyiwa Olumuyiwa
Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano, has decided to keep his cards close to his chest concerning his political ambition and preferred candidate for the most exalted political seat in the country in 2027.
Kwankwaso noted that all speculations about his next political move or allegiance to a prominent aspirant vying for the presidency are “premature and unfounded.”
The ex-Kano governor spoke in a statement issued on Saturday, stressing that no final decision has been made regarding his political future.
“We have noted recent media reports and discussions suggesting a possible realignment within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) due to the current challenges facing the party,” the statement reads.
“In light of the misleading narratives in the public domain, I wish to state categorically that no final decision has been taken regarding my political future or that of my political associates.”
The former governor of Kano noted that contrary to widespread claims, the ADC is yet to take a position on its 2027 presidential ticket, adding that he has not made any decision either.
“The ADC is yet to zone its presidential ticket or take any decision on a candidate. I have therefore neither declared any intention to run for president nor endorsed any aspirant. All speculations to the contrary are premature and unfounded,” Kwankwaso said.
Reacting to the supreme court judgement which voided the previous ruling by the court of appeal which asked parties in the leadership crisis within the ADC to maintain the status quo ante bellum, Kwankwaso noted that the apex court ruling has left the party in “a precarious position”.
“We left the NNPP due to externally influenced legal problems that made our stay perilous. The ADC has now been also forced into this difficulty,” he said.
“Consequently, like other major stakeholders, we have commenced wide-ranging consultations — including with leaders from the NDC, PRP and others to explore the best options for protecting our democratic interests. We shall announce our decision in the soonest possible time.”
While dismissing reports that he and some prominent politicians in the coalition are planning to defect to another party to pursue their dream, Kwankwaso ascribed his absence from recent ADC meetings was due to unavoidable personal commitments well communicated to the party’s leadership.
Kwankwaso said any definitive decision on his political direction would be formally communicated through official channels.
Recall that there have been speculations that Kwankwaso has agreed to be Peter Obi’s running mate for the presidency with many analysts describing the purported alliance as one that can oust President Bola Tinubu out of office in 2027.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra state, ran for the presidency on the platform of the Labour Party and came third behind former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Kwankwaso in his own case pursued the same presidential dream on the platform of the NNPP and came distant fourth with the chunks of the votes he garnered coming from Kano State which is regarded as his stronghold.
Meanwhile, amid the speculations of Obi-Kwankwaso ticket, rumours became rife that the duo had finalized plans to dump the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the uncertainty surrounding the fate of the coalition.
But the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement has debunked the speculation adding that he has yet to decide on his next political move.
