“Kwankwaso’s Biggest Political Gamble Yet?” — Kano Power Struggle Sparks Ethnic Debate Ahead of 2027
Political conversations in Northern Nigeria are beginning to take a more ethnic and ideological tone as debates intensify over the future leadership of Kano State ahead of the 2027 elections. What started as internal political calculations within the Kwankwasiyya movement is now evolving into a broader discussion about identity, representation, and power in the heart of Hausaland.
Many political observers and supporters within Kano have raised concerns that indigenous Hausa politicians are repeatedly being sidelined in the struggle for power in states historically regarded as Hausa strongholds. For some critics, the alleged move by former Kano State governor and NNPP leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to deny Murtala Sule Gawuna the governorship ticket is becoming symbolic of a deeper political controversy.
Kano is widely regarded as the cultural and political center of Hausaland. Yet, critics argue that despite the state’s strong Hausa identity, leadership structures have consistently favored individuals perceived to belong to the Fulani political elite. The argument being pushed by some northern commentators is that while ethnic identity strongly influences political leadership in many parts of Nigeria, the Hausa political majority in Kano appears unable to fully assert itself politically.
Supporters of this position often point to states like Borno and Yobe, where Kanuri political dominance has remained largely intact for decades. They also reference parts of the South-East and South-West, where local ethnic identities often shape political leadership and voting patterns.
This growing frustration has now placed Kwankwaso at the center of a heated political storm.
According to those critical of the former governor, Murtala Sule Gawuna remains one of the most politically experienced figures within Kano politics today. Gawuna, who served as Deputy Governor under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and later emerged as the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 Kano election, is viewed by supporters as a politician with extensive grassroots structure, administrative experience, and broad acceptance across party lines.
They argue that Gawuna possesses stronger political credentials and electoral appeal than Comrade Abdussalam, whose name is reportedly being considered within certain political circles. Critics insist that Gawuna not only commands support among traditional APC loyalists but could also attract sympathy votes from disenchanted Kwankwasiyya supporters if presented as a consensus candidate.
The controversy deepened further after reports emerged that Gawuna allegedly rejected an offer for a Senate ticket. To his supporters, that decision demonstrated that his political ambition remains focused on governing Kano State rather than accepting what they consider a political consolation prize.
As tensions rise, accusations of “Fulanization” are once again resurfacing in northern political discourse — a term that has historically generated serious controversy across Nigeria. Some political commentators now claim that repeated resistance against Hausa candidates in key northern states appears too consistent to ignore.
For these critics, Kwankwaso’s final decision may determine how history remembers his political legacy in Kano. If he eventually backs another candidate ahead of Gawuna, opponents say it could reinforce long-standing suspicions that ethnic calculations are influencing political decisions within the movement.
However, others strongly disagree with this narrative, arguing that political competence and strategic calculations — not ethnicity — are what truly shape candidate selection in modern Nigerian politics. They maintain that Kano’s politics has always been driven by alliances, loyalty, popularity, and grassroots influence rather than purely ethnic identity.
Meanwhile, the current administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf continues to face mounting political pressure from both opposition forces and dissatisfied insiders. Some critics accuse the administration of political betrayal and failure to maintain unity within the larger Kwankwasiyya structure.
Interestingly, some analysts believe that selecting Comrade Abdussalam as a governorship candidate could unintentionally strengthen Governor Yusuf’s chances of political survival in the next election cycle. According to this argument, the comrade may struggle to command the widespread grassroots support needed to compete effectively in Kano’s fiercely competitive political environment.
As 2027 gradually approaches, Kano is once again proving why it remains one of Nigeria’s most unpredictable and influential political battlegrounds. Whether the debate is truly about ethnicity, political loyalty, competence, or power preservation, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the decisions made by Kwankwaso in the coming months could either solidify his political dominance or trigger one of the biggest internal rebellions the Kwankwasiyya movement has ever faced.
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