Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has issued a stern warning to political opponents, declaring that those dismissing the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) ahead of the 2027 general elections should brace for a shocking outcome, particularly in Kano State.
Kwankwaso Projects Confidence, Slams Critics
Addressing supporters at his Miller Road residence in Kano on January 6, 2026, the former presidential candidate expressed unwavering confidence in his party's electoral prospects. He argued that repeated attempts to belittle the NNPP fail to account for its deep-rooted grassroots strength and organisational reach.
Kwankwaso stated that dismissive remarks from rivals do not reflect the actual political mood on the ground. "A lot of people who don't know politics are underrating us. Some are saying we are children," he said. "We will shock them at the polls with the outcome of the elections." He urged NNPP loyalists to remain disciplined and focused as preparations for the 2027 contest intensify.
Defection Speculation Firmly Dismissed
Amid growing speculation about internal tensions within the party's Kano chapter, senior NNPP figures have moved swiftly to dispel rumours that Kwankwaso is considering defecting to another platform. Party chieftain Buba Galadima explicitly rejected reports linking the former governor to a potential move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
"He (Kwankwaso) is still the leader of the NNPP. He has not resigned his membership of the party. So there is no way he can move to another party," Galadima asserted. He declined, however, to comment on the swirling rumours concerning the political future of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Internal Rift Described as a 'Betrayal'
The internal disagreements have drawn sharp reactions from party elders. A former Kano State chairman of the NNPP, Hashimu Dungurawa, described the strained relationship between Governor Yusuf and his political mentor, Kwankwaso, as both disturbing and deeply personal.
Dungurawa highlighted that the bond between the two men spanned more than four decades. "He was tolerated, guided and supported for 43 years. There was never a time the leader complained about him," Dungurawa said. "It is only after becoming governor, in less than three years, that people around him began to influence him to turn against the very man who made him politically."
He blamed the rift on political opportunists and forces hostile to democratic values. Despite the uncertainty, Dungurawa maintained that Kwankwaso's standing with voters remains firm, suggesting that "the people of Kano believe in Kwankwaso. Wherever he goes, politically, they are likely to follow."
Political observers note that the ongoing dynamics within the NNPP in Kano could significantly reset the balance of power in the state as the race for 2027 quietly begins to take shape.
