Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress in the 2027 election, has made a stunning declaration about the political fortunes of former governors in Kano state.

>“You cannot succeed with treachery. I have not seen one. If I ask you, I'm sure you don't know; he is going into oblivion politically. He is nowhere.”*

Senator Kwankwaso made this statement while reflecting on the political fortunes of former members of his political family who had fallen out with him. He specifically cited former governors Ibrahim Shekarau and Abdullahi Ganduje, and incumbent Governor Abba Yusuf, saying they are politically finished in the state.

Kwankwaso stated that his experience over the past two and a half decades had shown that those who betrayed their political allies usually went into political oblivion. He described as unsustainable any political success built through “treachery”.

Senator Kwankwaso recalled his years as governor of Kano state, during which Ganduje served as his deputy for eight years before succeeding him as governor in 2015. He said Ganduje’s current situation was a consequence of his decision to part ways with him.

“If you can even see the issue of Ganduje, who we came together and supported, and became governor free of charge. The day when he started fighting was the beginning of his problem. If I may ask: where is he now? It is difficult to see him,” he said.

He also criticised Governor Abba Yusuf for allegedly abandoning those who worked for his emergence as governor. Kwankwaso said the choice of Yusuf as his preferred candidate was based partly on the need to avoid a repeat of what he described as Ganduje’s actions.

Key Facts

• Senator Kwankwaso has declared former governors Ibrahim Shekarau and Abdullahi Ganduje, and incumbent Governor Abba Yusuf, politically finished in Kano state. • Kwankwaso has served as governor of Kano state for over two and a half decades. • Ganduje served as Kwankwaso's deputy for eight years before succeeding him as governor in 2015. • Kwankwaso has cited several examples of politicians who have fallen out of favour due to betrayal, including former Lagos State Deputy Governor Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele and former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

The former governor said the struggle for political succession and control was not peculiar to Kano, describing it as a recurring feature of Nigerian politics. He recalled a conversation with President Bola Tinubu in which the President asked him to go and reconcile some political differences with Ganduje.

Kwankwaso said he responded by drawing attention to the fate of several politicians who had once been close political associates of the President but were no longer prominent in his political circle.

He said political relationships often resembled those formed in school, where former classmates could maintain bonds in spite of differences in their political careers. However, Kwankwaso singled out former Osun Governor, Chief Bisi Akande, as one of the few political associates he still regarded as a friend.

As a seasoned politician, Kwankwaso has seen it all, and his assessment of his former allies is not to be taken lightly. The question on the lips of many in Kano state is: will Governor Abba Yusuf and former governors Shekarau and Ganduje be able to turn their fortunes around?

Senator Kwankwaso's declaration has sent shockwaves throughout the state, and the political implications are far-reaching. Only time will tell how the situation will unfold. Kwankwaso has maintained that those who betrayed their political allies will face severe consequences, and it is clear that he is not mincing words when it comes to his former allies.

As the 2027 elections draw near, the political landscape in Kano state is set to become even more unpredictable. Kwankwaso's words of warning have sent a clear message to all politicians in the state: be loyal to your allies, or face the consequences.

Senator Kwankwaso has been a dominant force in Kano state politics for decades. His word carries significant weight, and his declaration has sent shockwaves throughout the state.