Only Foolish People Will Say I’m Working For Tinubu — Kwankwaso

Only Foolish People Will Say I’m Working For Tinubu — Kwankwaso

Former Kano State governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has dismissed allegations that he is secretly working for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Kwankwaso made the remarks during an interview on Global TV on Wednesday night, describing the allegations as false, politically motivated and designed to weaken the growing opposition coalition ahead of the next general election.

The former governor reacted to claims made by Sanusi Bature, spokesperson to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who alleged that Kwankwaso had indirectly supported Tinubu since the 2023 elections and recently attempted to arrange a private meeting with the president.

Bature also claimed that the proposed meeting did not eventually hold, but suggested that Kwankwaso maintained quiet political ties with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Responding to the allegations, Kwankwaso firmly denied working for Tinubu or the APC, insisting that his political focus remains on the Nigeria Democratic Congress and its 2027 agenda.

“We are not working for anybody. We are only working for NDC,” Kwankwaso said during the interview.

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The former defence minister added that only “foolish people” would believe claims that he was secretly supporting Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

Kwankwaso, who recently emerged as the running mate to NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 election, said his commitment is to strengthening the opposition coalition and presenting an alternative platform for Nigerians.

He, however, acknowledged his longstanding personal relationship with President Tinubu, stressing that friendship should not be mistaken for political alignment.

“Bola Tinubu has been my senior brother and good friend up till now. But that doesn’t mean we shall pull all our political ideologies together with him,” he stated.

Kwankwaso also criticised individuals surrounding the president, accusing them of shielding Tinubu from the economic hardship and insecurity facing ordinary Nigerians.

“Normally under the current circumstances, the president may not see what is happening. And unfortunately, most of the people around him are actually the ones creating the problems,” he said.

According to him, some political actors within the presidency are more interested in persuading governors and opposition politicians to join the APC than addressing pressing national concerns.

The former Kano governor further confirmed ongoing coalition efforts within the NDC involving Peter Obi and other opposition stakeholders ahead of the 2027 election.

Kwankwaso disclosed that the coalition resolved to support Obi as its presidential candidate after consultations across different regions of the country.

“The party, in its own wisdom, decided to zone the presidential ticket to the south. We looked around across the zones and we realised that Peter Obi is the best candidate,” he said.

Political observers believe the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance could significantly reshape opposition politics ahead of 2027, especially given Kwankwaso’s strong grassroots influence in Kano and across parts of Northern Nigeria through the Kwankwasiyya movement.

The latest development comes amid increasing political tension in Kano State, where rivalry among the APC, NNPP and emerging NDC coalition continues to shape political alignments ahead of the next election cycle.

Kwankwaso’s comments are expected to further intensify political debate over opposition unity, northern political influence and the growing coalition against the ruling APC as preparations for the 2027 presidential election gather momentum.

Only Foolish People Will Say I’m Working For Tinubu — Kwankwaso