AS political alignments continue to take shape ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Kano State governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has not foreclosed the possibility of teaming up with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), according to House of Representatives member Abdulmumin Jibrin.
Jibrin, who represents Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State, disclosed this on Wednesday during an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme monitored by News Point Nigeria.
“As far as that [joining APC] is concerned, he has always maintained that his doors are open, our doors are open for discussions. Everything is a possibility,” Jibrin said, stressing that speculation about Kwankwaso’s political future remains valid.
Kwankwaso, who ran for president in 2023 under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), emerged fourth in the polls with 1,496,687 votes. The election was won by President Bola Tinubu of the APC, who polled 8,794,726 votes, ahead of Atiku Abubakar (PDP) with 6,984,520 votes and Peter Obi (Labour Party) with 6,101,533 votes.
Although Kwankwaso’s name has surfaced repeatedly in discussions about a possible APC alliance, reports of his defection seemed to cool in recent months. Jibrin, however, insisted that the matter remains alive.
“The door is not closed. He has never said it is closed,” the lawmaker stated.
When asked what might be delaying Kwankwaso’s movement into the APC, Jibrin pointed to vested interests within the Kano APC structure.
“Even within the APC in Kano, you may have a situation where some vested interests won’t want us to come in, maybe because of their own ambition, somebody wanting to be governor or whatever else,” he explained.
He maintained that the Kwankwasiyya Movement, with its strong grassroots following, represents a formidable political force that no party can afford to dismiss in Nigeria’s electoral permutations.
Jibrin himself has often been at the centre of speculation about crossing over to the APC, given his close ties with President Tinubu. However, the Chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Habitat did not confirm his defection during the interview.
“Well, I keep saying everything is a possibility,” he said, adding that while he remains a loyal member of the Kwankwasiyya camp, he does not need Kwankwaso’s permission to change parties.
“No, at my age, I think I’m old enough to make decisions for myself,” he said firmly.
With less than two years into President Tinubu’s administration, political maneuvering is already accelerating ahead of 2027. Kwankwaso, who commands massive followership in Kano and parts of Northern Nigeria, remains a potential game-changer should he choose to ally with the APC or strike deals elsewhere.
