Sanusi Bature, spokesperson to Abba Yusuf, has alleged that Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is secretly working to advance the political interests of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Bature made the claim during an interview on Arise News on Wednesday, where he argued that the former Kano governor may not publicly align with Tinubu but is allegedly operating behind the scenes in ways that could ultimately benefit the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“There are those who are working with Tinubu openly, directly in the public space, and there are those who can work for Tinubu behind the scenes,” Bature said.
“I believe whatever Kwankwaso is doing will favour Tinubu at the end of the day because Kwankwaso worked for Tinubu in 2023.”
The comments come amid increasing political realignments and coalition talks among opposition figures ahead of the next presidential election.
Bature, who identified himself as a member of the APC and a former opposition spokesperson in Kano politics, claimed he had insider knowledge of political developments that unfolded during the 2023 elections.
“I’m a member of the APC; I have been the opposition spokesperson in Kano, and I know what happened in 2023. I believe Kwankwaso is working for Tinubu in 2027 behind the scenes,” he alleged.
The Kano government spokesperson also dismissed suggestions that a political alliance between Kwankwaso and Peter Obi could become a viable opposition force ahead of 2027.
According to him, such a partnership would struggle to gain acceptance in Kano State and may not survive the political realities within the region.
“A Peter Obi-Kwankwaso ticket in Kano is strange,” Bature stated.
“Kwankwaso, a PhD holder, deputising Obi, who only holds a first degree, doesn’t look like the Kwankwaso we know. I don’t see this partnership working.”
He further argued that the New Nigeria Peoples Party no longer possesses the political strength required to independently challenge for power in 2027.
“The NNPP is no longer a formidable platform for 2027,” he said.
“There was an agreement among critical stakeholders, including Rabiu Kwankwaso, to find a lasting solution ahead of 2027 because the NNPP cannot fly on its own.”
Bature claimed that discussions among key political actors in Kano had initially identified the All Progressives Congress as the preferred option for political realignment, allegedly with Kwankwaso’s approval.
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According to him, the move was intended to facilitate broader political participation at the federal level, including possible appointments into the Federal Executive Council.
He also alleged that Kwankwaso had initially sought a direct meeting with President Tinubu to negotiate political arrangements but later cancelled the proposed engagement due to a trip to China.
“Kwankwaso initially pushed for a direct meeting with President Tinubu to discuss political negotiations,” Bature claimed.
“He later cancelled the appointment because he travelled to China and never rescheduled.”
On the electoral implications of a possible Obi-Kwankwaso alliance, Bature predicted that the combination would perform poorly in Kano despite Kwankwaso’s previous electoral strength in the state.
“Kwankwaso alone under NNPP was able to secure over a million votes in Kano in 2023,” he said.
“But believe me, in 2027, with Obi as presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as vice presidential candidate, that ticket cannot secure one million votes in Kano.”
The allegations add another layer to the ongoing political speculation surrounding opposition coalitions and possible alliances ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Neither Kwankwaso nor Obi had publicly responded to Bature’s claims as of the time of filing this report.