By Chidinma Nwaoji
2027 Realignment: Can Kwankwaso’s Influence Rescue APC or Ruin His Legacy?
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State and a political heavyweight in Northern Nigeria, stands at a crucial political crossroads that could reshape the 2027 elections — and redefine his legacy.
Once a fierce critic of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Kwankwaso’s name is now linked to high-level talks that may see him return to a party he once condemned. This shift comes in the wake of the surprise resignation of former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje — a long-time rival of Kwankwaso — prompting whispers of a calculated political reset aimed at paving the way for his return.
Analysts interpret Ganduje’s exit as more than internal restructuring; it appears to be a strategic sacrifice, meant to lure Kwankwaso back into the fold. With President Tinubu’s support base showing signs of erosion, especially in the North, the APC is seeking a northern figure who commands loyalty, commands crowds, and can breathe life back into its disillusioned support base. Kwankwaso fits that mold.
Read more:Tinubu is unrivaled: APC reacts to Obasanjo, Kwankwaso, Donald Duke.
Yet, the man at the centre of this political storm has made no secret of his disdain for the APC’s leadership. In a fiery statement released last month, Kwankwaso revealed how President Tinubu personally reached out, offering enticing political deals, all of which he flatly rejected. “I would rather quit politics than return to the APC,” he declared, accusing the party of steering Nigeria into economic hardship and insecurity.
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
Despite his strong rebuke, the rumour mill remains active. Is the former Defence Minister truly done with the APC, or is a grand bargain being negotiated behind closed doors? The timing is suspicious, and the political arithmetic is unmistakable. APC needs northern strength. Kwankwaso, meanwhile, may need a broader platform to actualise his presidential ambition.
For the APC, bringing Kwankwaso aboard would be more than symbolic — it could transform the political landscape. Kano, a state with massive electoral value, could swing decisively. And with Kano comes a ripple effect that might sway Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, and beyond. But the cost could be high.
Kwankwaso’s loyalists, particularly the red-cap-wearing faithful of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, view APC as the antithesis of the ideals they champion equity, accountability, and inclusion. A sudden embrace of the party could be seen as betrayal, turning influence into backlash.
This dilemma — between principle and power — defines the current chapter of Kwankwaso’s political journey. If he declines APC’s overtures, he risks marginalisation. If he accepts, he may gain a vice-presidential ticket or a path to the presidency,
