The member representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State, 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 made the prediction on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, while discussing the political contest in Kano ahead of the 2027 election.
Kwankwaso, a former two-term governor of the state, is the running mate to former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi on the ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Jibrin, who previously worked closely with Kwankwaso but is now a member of Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC), said his knowledge of the former governor’s political structure and strategies would help the APC counter his influence at the polls.
Asked whether Tinubu could defeat Kwankwaso in Kano, Jibrin 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.”
The lawmaker, however, acknowledged that Kwankwaso remained a formidable political force in the state, warning that the contest would not be an easy one for the APC.
“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 argued that the configuration of the 2027 presidential contest would work in Tinubu’s favour because Kwankwaso would be contesting as a vice-presidential candidate rather than seeking the presidency himself.
“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,” he said.
According to him, Kwankwaso’s presence as a presidential candidate could have significantly altered the political dynamics in Kano.
“If Kwankwaso were on the ballot as a presidential candidate, the dynamics in Kano might be different, but he is not the presidential candidate,” Jibrin added.
The lawmaker also addressed his political relationship with Kwankwaso, saying his decision to oppose his former ally was not motivated by personal animosity.
Jibrin said he remained grateful for the support Kwankwaso gave him when he was building his political career.
“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.
He noted that both politicians had changed political allegiances over time.
“We all changed parties and loyalties, he himself has changed party,” Jibrin added.
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