2027 Presidency: Tinubu Will Defeat Kwankwaso In Kano, Jibrin Boasts

The member representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State in the House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will defeat former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, in the state during the 2027 presidential election.

Jibrin, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, made the claim while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday.

Kwankwaso, a two-term former governor of Kano State, is expected to contest the 2027 presidential election as the running mate to former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

Jibrin was previously a political ally of Kwankwaso but has since moved to the APC and is now backing Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Speaking about the chances of Tinubu defeating Kwankwaso in Kano, Jibrin said those who previously worked closely with the former governor understand his political structure and strategies.

Asked whether Tinubu could defeat Kwankwaso in Kano, the lawmaker said, “He will because many of us know the dynamics, his strategies, how he operates, the Kwankwasiyya movement, their strengths, their weaknesses, we are all here and we know how we will be able to deal with that situation.”

Jibrin, however, acknowledged that Kwankwaso remained a strong political force in Kano and warned that the contest would not be easy.

According to him, anyone who claims that Kwankwaso no longer has a strong support base in the state would be misleading the public.

“We know him very, very well, we know his strategy, he is still influential, he has supporter base in Kano. Whoever tells you he doesn’t have supporter base is not telling you the truth. So, it’s going to be a tough battle,” he said.

Jibrin said the major factor that could work in Tinubu’s favour was Kwankwaso’s position as a running mate rather than the presidential candidate.

He argued that the political calculation in Kano would have been different if the former governor were contesting the presidency directly.

“I tell you this, there is a difference between Kwankwaso being on the ballot as a presidential candidate and being on the ballot as a running mate. There is a sharp difference, there are completely two different things,” Jibrin said.

“If Kwankwaso were on the ballot as a presidential candidate, the dynamics in Kano might be different, but he is not the presidential candidate.”

The APC lawmaker also addressed his political relationship with Kwankwaso and his decision to work against his former ally in the 2027 election.

Jibrin said he remained grateful to the former governor for the political support he received when he was starting out in politics.

He stressed that their political differences should not be interpreted as personal hostility or disloyalty.

“Of course when I got into politics and by the time I met him, I was modestly okay, I was grounded. Of course he gave me a push in politics and I appreciate everything and I have said repeatedly, I will continue to respect him and I will never join issues with him,” he said.

“We all changed parties and loyalties, he himself has changed party.”

Tinubu is seeking a second term in office under the APC in the 2027 presidential election.

Kwankwaso, who contested the 2023 presidential election as the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, is now on the ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress as the running mate to Obi.

Obi contested the 2023 election under the Labour Party.