Tinubu may drop Shettima in 2027 as talks with Kwankwaso spark new speculations.
APC insiders hint at quiet moves despite Presidency dismissing rumors as false.
Fresh political calculations are emerging ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with strong indications suggesting that President Bola Tinubu may consider former Kano State governor and NNPP leader, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, as a potential replacement for Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Although the Presidency has dismissed such speculations as “beer parlour gossip,” sources within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) hint that discussions are ongoing to bring Kwankwaso back into the party and position him strategically for the next electoral cycle.
An APC insider in Abuja, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told BDSunday that Kwankwaso’s return is being seriously considered to bolster Tinubu’s re-election strategy. The source said that while Kwankwaso has met with the President, efforts are ongoing to convince him to rejoin the party early enough to position him for a top political role.
“Kwankwaso is seen as a political heavyweight with an enormous support base, especially in the North. His Kwankwasiyya movement has remained influential across the region. The President and the APC believe he can help deliver Kano and much of the Northwest in 2027,” the source said.
This revelation comes amid recent political developments that have raised eyebrows within party circles. Notably, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje’s silence on Shettima’s 2027 prospects during a stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe last Sunday has fueled rumors of an internal rethink within the APC leadership.
Kwankwaso, who currently leads the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has held several high-profile political positions. Apart from serving two non-consecutive terms as Governor of Kano State (1999–2003 and 2011–2015), he was also Minister of Defense under President Olusegun Obasanjo and later represented Kano Central in the Senate from 2015 to 2019.
His deep roots in Kano politics and large followership in the North are seen as critical assets for the APC. With Kano being the second-largest voting bloc in the country, boasting over 5.9 million registered voters in 2023, just behind Lagos, party strategists believe that Kwankwaso’s involvement could swing the balance in Tinubu’s favor in a tight electoral contest.
In the 2023 elections, Kwankwaso’s NNPP came fourth in the presidential race but dominated Kano State, underscoring his grip on grassroots support. Tinubu’s team is reportedly hoping to merge this influence with APC’s national spread to ward off growing opposition unity efforts.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has tried to downplay the growing rumors of a rift between Tinubu and Vice President Shettima. Presidential aides have labelled the speculations as baseless, urging Nigerians to dismiss such claims.
Still, political observers note that the timing and tone of internal realignments cannot be ignored. With prominent opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party reportedly considering a merger to unseat the APC in 2027, the ruling party appears to be preparing for a more robust North-West alliance, possibly without Shettima on the ticket.
Analysts suggest that such a shake-up could mirror past instances in Nigerian politics where electoral success required balancing regional and political interests. Kwankwaso, with his broad appeal and strong political resume, is being viewed as a strategic “game-changer” should Tinubu seek to refresh his ticket.
While no official confirmation has been made regarding Kwankwaso’s defection or Shettima’s status in 2027, it is evident that behind-the-scenes political maneuvers have already begun, with Kano at the heart of the looming contest.
