A CLOSE ally of the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Garba Kore, has drawn widespread outrage after a controversial remark in which he boasted that the APC would “break the law” if necessary to reclaim Kano in the 2027 general elections.
News Point Nigeria reports that the statement, captured in a viral podcast now circulating widely across social media, has ignited heated political debate and raised concerns about the health of Nigeria’s democracy.
In the recording, Kore acknowledged that the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), led by former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, currently enjoys greater grassroots support in Kano, but asserted that the APC would still find a way to take back the state.
“Kwankwaso still has more supporters than us, and we in the APC have no real hope — but we will seize power by force, even if it means violating the law,” Kore said during the podcast conversation.
He went further to suggest that political influence and high-level connections could enable some individuals to act with impunity in Nigeria’s political environment.
“In this country, once you have the right connections, you can break the law and move on,” he added confidently.
Kore also commented on the lingering Kano Emirate tussle, alleging that the matter is being deliberately stalled by the Federal Government rather than being properly adjudicated in court.
“This emirate issue is not really a court case. The Federal Government is the one holding everything and preventing action. The only solution is for them to return to our side,” he claimed.
The remarks have been met with sharp condemnation from civil society groups, political analysts, and social commentators, who described Kore’s words as reckless, undemocratic, and dangerous.
A coalition of democracy advocates in Kano issued a joint statement warning that such rhetoric, if left unchecked, could fuel political violence and undermine faith in electoral institutions.
“This kind of talk erodes confidence in due process and emboldens anti-democratic behavior,” said one civic leader, noting that the comments were particularly inflammatory given Kano’s history of tense political rivalries.
Political observers fear that statements like Kore’s could further polarize the political climate ahead of 2027 and complicate ongoing peace efforts within the state.
The podcast continues to dominate conversations on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and WhatsApp, where clips of Kore’s statements are being dissected by users, journalists, and party loyalists.