Kwankwasiyya counters Bature, insists Kwankwaso has no links with APC ahead of 2027

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has strongly denied claims that its national leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is covertly working to advance the re-election prospects of Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the allegation as a deliberate political campaign aimed at weakening his influence.

The rebuttal follows remarks by Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, spokesperson to Abba Kabir Yusuf, during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, in which he argued that Kwankwaso’s current political moves could ultimately benefit President Tinubu rather than strengthen opposition forces.

Bature specifically dismissed growing speculation about a possible alliance between Kwankwaso and Peter Obi, insisting that such a partnership would lack electoral strength in Kano State and would instead split opposition votes to the advantage of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to him, Kwankwaso’s political influence in Kano has diminished since the 2023 presidential election, despite securing about one million votes in the state at the time. He argued that a joint Kwankwaso-Obi ticket would struggle to gain widespread acceptance in Kano and across much of the North-West.

“Whatever Kwankwaso is doing will favour Tinubu,” Bature said, contending that any alliance involving the former Kano governor would be unable to secure up to one million votes in Kano.

He further maintained that Kano’s conservative political culture would limit the appeal of any coalition perceived as relying heavily on Christian or non-indigenous voting blocs, while also questioning Obi’s political acceptance in Kano, Jigawa and other northern states.

Bature also dismissed reports that millions of supporters recently gathered at Kwankwaso’s residence in Kano, describing the figures as exaggerated and physically impossible given the capacity of available venues within the city.

However, the Kwankwasiyya Movement swiftly pushed back against the assertions.

In a statement, its spokesperson, Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, described the allegations as baseless, politically motivated and designed to create a false narrative about Kwankwaso’s political direction ahead of the next election cycle.

Mohammed said Kwankwaso had always been transparent in his political engagements and maintained no secret alliance with the APC or President Tinubu.

He challenged those making the allegations to provide evidence of any political collaboration, insisting that no such arrangement exists.

According to him, the only publicly known interaction between Kwankwaso and Tinubu remains a meeting held years ago, adding that attempts to portray the former governor as working for the ruling party are part of a broader campaign of misinformation.

The Kwankwasiyya spokesman further accused political opponents of seeking to undermine Kwankwaso’s growing relevance within emerging opposition platforms and the wider national political landscape.

He said the movement remained focused on pursuing its political objectives and would not be distracted by what he termed calculated efforts to distort public perception.

Mohammed also urged Nigerians to critically assess political claims and rhetoric circulating ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that many narratives were being promoted for partisan advantage rather than public enlightenment.

“The Kwankwasiyya Movement remains committed to its political path and has no alliance with the ruling party,” he said.

The exchange marks the latest round of political sparring as parties and influential figures begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Kano expected to remain one of Nigeria’s most significant battlegrounds for northern votes.