The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party in the 2023 election, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has dismissed claims linking him to the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kwankwaso made the clarification during an interview on Global TV, where he described the allegation as false and misleading.
He was reacting to comments credited to the spokesperson of the Kano State Governor, Sanusi Bature, who had suggested that the former Kano governor was indirectly working in support of President Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
The former Minister of Defence insisted that the claim had no basis, saying those pushing such narrative were misleading the public. He maintained that his political activities remained independent and not tied to the President’s camp.
Responding directly to the allegation, Kwankwaso said only “foolish people” would believe such claims, stressing that he was not working for anyone politically.
He, however, acknowledged his personal relationship with Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as a longtime political associate and friend, but insisted that such relationship does not translate into political alignment or joint ambition.
“Bola Tinubu has been my senior brother and good friend up till now. But that does not mean we shall pull all our political ideologies together with him. He is doing his own, and I am doing my own,” he said.
Kwankwaso also criticised aspects of the current political structure, arguing that the President may not be fully aware of the realities on the ground due to the influence of those around him.
He further spoke on ongoing political consultations within the Nigeria Democratic Congress, stating that the coalition had adopted former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as its preferred southern consensus candidate ahead of the 2027 election.
According to him, the group is still mobilising support across regions and has enough time to consolidate its structure before the next general election.
