The Kwankwasiyya Movement has dismissed allegations suggesting that former Kano State governor and leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, may be secretly working to advance President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The movement described the claims as false, politically motivated and part of a desperate attempt to undermine Kwankwaso’s growing influence within the opposition coalition.
The controversy followed comments made by Sanusi Bature, Director General, Media and Publicity at the Kano State Government House, during an interview on Arise TV on Wednesday.
Bature had alleged that Kwankwaso’s political actions could eventually favour President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“There are those who are working for Tinubu openly in the public space, and there are also those who can work for Tinubu behind the scene,” Bature said.
“I believe whatever Kwankwaso is doing will favour Tinubu at the end of it because Kwankwaso has worked for Tinubu in 2023,” he added.
However, reacting in an interview with Vanguard on Wednesday, the spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, strongly rejected the allegation, insisting there was no hidden alliance between Kwankwaso and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him, the comments were merely attempts to distort public perception and weaken Kwankwaso’s political standing ahead of the next election cycle.
“What Sanusi Bature and the state government are trying to do is nothing short of desperation to discredit us and to create narratives they know are not true,” Habeeb said.
Defending Kwankwaso’s political style, he maintained that the former governor had always been transparent in his engagements and was not known for secret political dealings.
“My principal has always been a very frank person, very clear about where he is going and what he is doing. He is not somebody that plays under-deal politics,” he stated.
Habeeb further denied claims of any negotiation or political understanding between Kwankwaso and the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
“At any point in time, we have never reached out to APC. If they have any evidence, they should bring it forward,” he said.
He also clarified that Kwankwaso’s only known interaction with President Tinubu was a public meeting that took place years ago.
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“My principal has never had any encounter aside from the one he had with the president about three years ago,” he added.
The Kwankwasiyya spokesperson accused political opponents of attempting to diminish Kwankwaso’s popularity, particularly following his growing involvement in the opposition-backed Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
“These statements are only meant to diminish his popularity and throw doubt into people’s minds, but we are used to this kind of political game,” Habeeb said.
He further alleged that some political actors were attempting to justify their own alliances and defections by dragging Kwankwaso into what he described as false narratives.
“Many things are being said and attributed. And if you (Bature) could play it better, you would have also hired somebody not Bature, who represents a government that is doing everything possible to justify their betrayal, justify their defection, and justify their relationship with the present administration,” he said.
Despite the controversy, Habeeb insisted that the Kwankwasiyya Movement remained focused on its political direction ahead of the 2027 elections.
“So, naturally, we do not want to join issues on this matter. We have already moved on. We have already taken a clear political direction not only against the ruling party and the present administration but also a journey we are very optimistic will help Nigeria get to the right place,” he added.
The exchange comes amid increasing political realignments and coalition talks among opposition figures ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Kwankwaso continuing to remain a key figure in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.