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A member of the House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will defeat former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso in Kano during the 2027 presidential election.
Jibrin, who represents Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State, made the prediction during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday.
The lawmaker, a former political associate of Kwankwaso who now belongs to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said his familiarity with the former governor’s political structure would help the APC counter his influence in the state.
Asked whether Tinubu could defeat Kwankwaso in Kano, Jibrin responded, “He will because many of us know the dynamics, his strategies, how he operates, the Kwankwasiyya movement, their strengths, their weaknesses.”
Kwankwaso, who governed Kano for two terms, is currently the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), with former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as the presidential candidate.
Jibrin acknowledged Kwankwaso’s continued influence and strong support base in Kano, warning that the contest would not be easy.
“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.
However, the APC lawmaker argued that Kwankwaso’s position as a running mate rather than a presidential candidate would significantly alter the electoral dynamics in Kano.
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“There is a difference between Kwankwaso being on the ballot as a presidential candidate and being on the ballot as a running mate,” Jibrin said.
He added that if Kwankwaso were contesting for the presidency himself, the political calculations in Kano could have been different.
“If Kwankwaso were on the ballot as a presidential candidate, the dynamics in Kano might be different, but he is not the presidential candidate,” he said.
Jibrin also addressed his political relationship with Kwankwaso, explaining that although the former governor had played an important role in his political development, they now belong to different political camps.
He said he remained appreciative of Kwankwaso’s support and would continue to respect him despite their political differences.
“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,” Jibrin said.
The lawmaker noted that both politicians had experienced changes in political affiliation, adding that Kwankwaso himself had moved between political parties.
Tinubu is seeking re-election under the APC, while Kwankwaso, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), is now running as Obi’s deputy on the NDC platform.
