APC Members Prefer Kwankwaso as Tinubu’s Running Mate in 2027, Says NNPP Spokesman
Speculations surrounding Nigeria’s 2027 general elections continue to intensify as the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) claims some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are pushing for a political alliance that would see former Kano State governor and NNPP presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, emerge as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate.
The revelation came from Ladipo Johnson, a chieftain and spokesperson of the NNPP, during an interview on Channels Television. Johnson disclosed that individuals within the APC had reached out privately, encouraging Kwankwaso to consider joining forces with Tinubu on a joint ticket for the 2027 presidential election.
“There have been calls from people within the APC, reaching out to me and to others close to Kwankwaso, saying he should accept the vice-presidential slot if it is offered,” Johnson stated.
He added that while the NNPP has not taken a definitive position on the matter, it is currently reviewing three strategic options ahead of the 2027 elections: entering an alliance with the APC, joining a broader opposition coalition likely to be led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, or contesting independently as a third force.
The idea of a Tinubu-Kwankwaso ticket, while still speculative, has sparked mixed reactions across Nigeria’s political landscape. Supporters argue that Kwankwaso’s strong base in Kano and the North could deliver significant electoral value to the APC.
However, critics see the move as a betrayal of the NNPP’s identity and fear it could alienate the party’s support base, particularly among younger voters disillusioned with the current administration.
Kwankwaso, who came fourth in the 2023 presidential election and remains a dominant figure in northern Nigerian politics, has yet to make any public statement regarding the reported overtures from APC insiders.
His influence, particularly in Kano and other parts of the North-West, is widely acknowledged as a potential game-changer in any national electoral contest.
Meanwhile, the APC has already endorsed President Tinubu for re-election in 2027, despite the ongoing economic and social challenges facing his administration. Party officials have defended the endorsement, saying it provides stability and continuity in governance.
This development adds another layer to Nigeria’s rapidly evolving pre-election atmosphere, where party alignments, defections, and behind-the-scenes negotiations are already in motion more than two years ahead of the next polls.
The NNPP has indicated that any decision regarding 2027 will be made strategically and in consideration of the best interests of the party and its supporters nationwide.
As political consultations deepen across the country, all eyes remain on Kwankwaso’s next move—and whether he will choose to align with the ruling party or chart a different course entirely.
