2027: APC disagrees as Kwankwaso says Yusuf will lose

Former Kano State governor and nationwide chief of the New Nigeria Individuals’s Party, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has mentioned Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, is not going to win the 2027 governorship election following his defection to the All Progressives Congress.

However the APC, in a swift response, dismissed Kwankwaso’s prediction as mere rhetoric, saying Yusuf will win.

Kwankwaso made the comment throughout an interview with BBC Hausa, the place he described Yusuf’s transfer as a betrayal of the Kwankwasiyya motion and warned that becoming a member of the APC-led political bloc referred to as “Gandujiyya” would solely weaken the governor’s electoral probabilities.

“I noticed that he defected to the APC on Tuesday, which was why I left Kano for Lagos to permit them to conduct their occasion. That is the worst betrayal I’ve witnessed in my life,” Kwankwaso mentioned.

The previous governor mentioned he was notably struck by photographs of former Kano State Governor and APC stalwart, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, publicly elevating Yusuf’s hand throughout the defection ceremony, describing it as a foul political omen.

“Once I noticed Ganduje elevating Abba’s hand, I knew mechanically that Abba wouldn’t win any election. Individuals of Kano don’t assist Gandujiyya. Ganduje misplaced the 2019 election, and his candidate additionally misplaced in 2023. So, Abba is not going to win in 2027,” he mentioned.

Kwankwaso added that Yusuf would remorse aligning himself with the Gandujiyya political group, insisting that it was essentially incompatible with the Kwankwasiyya motion.

“Gandujiyya and Kwankwasiyya are like darkness and light-weight. They can not keep below the identical umbrella. There is no such thing as a connection between us once more,” he mentioned.

He mentioned Yusuf’s determination to dump the NNPP got here as a shock to celebration members and supporters throughout the state. “What occurred in Kano is deeply irritating. Many individuals consider it was a pre-arranged plan. Even once I get up from sleep, I maintain asking myself why he did this,” he added.

Kwankwaso dismissed claims that inner crises throughout the NNPP compelled Yusuf’s exit, insisting that the celebration stays secure and united.

“The governor claimed there have been conflicts throughout the NNPP. However for my part, the celebration is in good well being. Dropping a member or eradicating an official doesn’t create any downside,” he mentioned.

Reaffirming confidence within the Kwankwasiyya motion, Kwankwaso mentioned the NNPP stays firmly rooted in Kano.

“The individuals of Kano sympathise with the Kwankwasiyya motion. Kano stays within the arms of the NNPP, and Abba’s defection is not going to change our mission,” he added.

However in an interview with The PidomNigeria, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, countered Kwankwaso, insisting that Yusuf’s alignment with Ganduje would assure victory, citing Ganduje’s observe document of supporting candidates who went on to change into governors in Imo, Kogi, Osun, and different states, asserting that the previous governor’s endorsements usually translate into electoral wins.

Ibrahim mentioned, “Ganduje has raised the arms of many governorship candidates, they usually have emerged victorious. He has supported the governors of Imo, Kogi, Osun, and others, and his backing has persistently translated into wins. Kwankwaso wants to look at the variety of arms raised by each himself and Ganduje, and the ensuing victories. Abba can’t be an exception.

“The arms of Ganduje are really arms of victory. Victoria ascerta. Our celebration is common in Kano; it enjoys the assist of the individuals due to the laudable achievements via the Renewed Hope Agenda. So victory is definite for our celebration and candidates in 2027.

“Kwankwaso has contested in opposition to the APC previously and misplaced. Dropping to the APC is due to this fact not a brand new growth. No rhetoric can change the trajectory of the individuals, and it’s clear that there isn’t any victory within the path of the opposition celebration and Kwankwaso in Kano State.”

Yusuf’s defection has triggered political rigidity in Kano, together with the resignation of commissioners, particular advisers, native authorities chairmen and lawmakers loyal to the governor, as alignments forward of the 2027 basic elections start to take form.