Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and close ally of former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said “it will be extremely difficult” for Kwankwaso to join forces with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Galadima stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, where he accused Tinubu’s administration of antagonising Kwankwaso, particularly by allegedly backing Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, despite the fact that the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had removed him.
When asked whether there was any possibility of a political alliance between the NNPP and APC, Galadima replied, “Honestly, I’m just hearing about this speculation now. Kwankwaso is a politician who stands firmly on his own. Remember, he took on APC in Kano and defeated it. Kwankwaso has never told me that he plans to support Tinubu in 2027.”
The veteran politician added that he wished all Nigerian politicians could be like Kwankwaso.
Pressed further on whether Kwankwaso might secretly be in talks with Tinubu, Galadima said, “If anyone had reached out to him for such a discussion, I would have known. Maybe I’m not the closest to him, but in politics, we engage him regularly. He has never told me anything of that nature.”
He wondered how Kwankwaso could possibly align with APC “after all they have done to us in Kano.”
“Two emirs were appointed in one city? There is now a federal emir and a state emir. Who has the authority to appoint an emir and pay his salary?” he queried.
He alleged that the federal government had its own preferred emir, adding that “at least 40 police vehicles are permanently stationed to guard the emir.”
When reminded that the federal government has no constitutional role in appointing traditional rulers, Galadima countered that there was no basis for a federal court to pass judgment on a chieftaincy matter.
Galadima claimed that the federal government was retaining Emir Aminu Ado Bayero because it believed he would be useful in the 2027 elections.
“There is no emir in Kano who can influence voting patterns,” he added.
According to him, the people of Kano have confidence in Kwankwaso because they have seen his impact on the ground.
“That is why they follow him politically,” he said.
Speaking on the political direction of the NNPP ahead of 2027, Galadima noted that no final decision had been taken, but assured that, “wherever you find us, that is where the government will be formed.”
