Fresh uncertainty has trailed the much-discussed political alliance between President Bola Tinubu and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, following the latter’s blistering criticism of the administration and apparent defiance of its policies.
Kwankwaso, speaking during a stakeholders’ dialogue on the 2025 constitutional amendment in Kano, accused Tinubu’s government of sidelining the North while favouring the South—a claim swiftly dismissed by the Presidency.
Analysts warn that the development could jeopardise Tinubu’s efforts to consolidate political support in Kano and across the wider northern region as he strategises for the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to Kwankwaso’s remarks, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, rejected the allegations, insisting that the North has been a key beneficiary of the administration’s projects and policies.
“The claim that northern Nigeria has been left behind is incorrect. The Tinubu administration has initiated and continued several landmark projects in the North, covering roads, agriculture, healthcare, and energy,” Dare stated in a post on X.
He listed flagship projects such as the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway, Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline, and several agricultural and rail infrastructure projects as evidence of the government’s commitment to the North.
But Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor, was unmoved. On Friday, he welcomed thousands of defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) into the NNPP at his Kano residence.
“Yesterday was a momentous occasion, as I received thousands of defectors from the All Progressives Congress into the New Nigeria People’s Party,” he announced via his official X handle.
“The distinguished leadership style in Kano and our political vision keep attracting more people into our fold, and I encourage those considering joining to do so without hesitation.”
In a swift counter-response, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, dismissed Kwankwaso’s criticism as a calculated political move designed to increase his bargaining power with the Presidency.
“It is only in politics that somebody can trafficate left and turn right,” Bwala quipped.
“What Kwankwaso is saying is just politics. Sometimes, politicians do one or two things to increase their market value and force a negotiation. But I can guarantee you that Kwankwaso can’t achieve his aspiration without aligning with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
“He may not necessarily join the APC, but aligning with the President remains his only realistic strategy.”
Bwala further claimed that Kwankwaso’s recent exclusion from coalition talks and the political spotlight was deliberate, suggesting that the NNPP leader’s outbursts were meant to stay relevant.
The NNPP, however, has strongly dismissed any talk of an alliance with the APC or President Tinubu.
Prince Nweze Onu, the party’s National Vice Chairman (South-East), described such reports as unfounded and driven by misinformation.
“Talks about Kwankwaso moving to the APC only exist on social media. I am sure you know that the use of Artificial Intelligence and other instruments of social media is very dangerous and makes people spin a lot of narration, especially when it comes to politics,” Onu said.
He also denied claims that Kwankwaso’s recent meeting with President Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa was politically motivated.
Leave a Reply