Tinubu, Kwankwaso Set for Crucial Meeting: Is Kano’s Political Kingmaker About to Join APC?
In a dramatic turn in Kano State’s political landscape, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to hold a crucial meeting with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, sources told POLITICS DIGEST.
The engagement is expected to take place later today at the Presidential Villa.
The meeting follows closely on the heels of President Tinubu’s private discussion with Kwankwaso’s political protégé and Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, signaling intensified efforts to harmonise political interests across party lines ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources familiar with the development revealed that Governor Yusuf played a pivotal role in facilitating the forthcoming meeting, responding to President Tinubu’s desire to build consensus and broaden his political coalition in the North-West.
Until recently, Senator Kwankwaso had maintained a firm opposition to joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and reportedly advised Governor Yusuf against defecting. However, his public stance appears to be softening, as he recently hinted at a potential political realignment. In remarks to journalists, the former Kano governor and 2023 New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential candidate said he would consider joining the APC if presented with a “satisfactory offer.”
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A senior APC official in the North-West confirmed to Politics Digest that the meeting is tentatively scheduled for later today, though adjustments to the President’s itinerary may affect the timing. “The President is keen on broadening his political base,” the source said. “Discussions will likely focus on national stability, political cooperation, and future alignments ahead of 2027.”
The back-to-back engagements have intensified speculation about the future of the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya movement. While Governor Yusuf’s camp is reportedly upbeat following his successful interaction with the President, it remains unclear whether Kwankwaso and Yusuf are planning a coordinated exit from the NNPP or pursuing independent strategies.
Political analysts note that a realignment of the Kwankwasiyya movement with the APC would mark a seismic shift in Northern Nigerian politics. Such a move could undermine the proposed “Third Force” coalition reportedly being explored by opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, with Kwankwaso as a key player.
For President Tinubu, securing the cooperation of both a sitting governor and the undisputed leader of one of Kano’s most influential political movements would significantly bolster the APC’s position in the state—a strategic battleground for national elections.
PRNigeria continues to monitor developments at the Presidential Villa and will provide updates as the meeting unfolds.
By PRNigeria
