Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, is reportedly set to unveil former Kano State Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, as the consensus governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State ahead of the 2027 general election.
The development, according to sources familiar with the matter, followed a series of closed-door consultations within the Kwankwasiyya movement and among key political allies of the former governor.
Comrade Aminu Abdussalam had resigned as deputy governor in March, weeks after the Kano State House of Assembly reportedly served him with an impeachment notice.
Sources disclosed that former APC governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Alhaji Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, was initially considered a strong contender for the governorship ticket.
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However, after extensive consultations, Kwankwaso was said to have finally settled for Comrade Aminu Abdussalam as the preferred consensus candidate.
According to insiders, Kwankwaso subsequently proposed either the deputy governorship slot or the Kano Central Senatorial ticket to Alhaji Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna as part of ongoing political arrangements within the movement.
The former APC governorship candidate reportedly declined both offers but assured Kwankwaso of his commitment to the success and stability of the party.
Sources further revealed that Alhaji Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna told the Kwankwasiyya leader that his decision to join the movement was unconditional and not tied to personal political positions.
“He made it clear that he would not abandon the movement simply because he did not secure the governorship ticket,” one of the sources disclosed.
Reports also indicate that the rejection of the alternative offers by Alhaji Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna delayed the formal announcement of Comrade Aminu Abdussalam on Wednesday, amid mounting pressure from some influential figures within the movement urging Kwankwaso to reconsider his decision.
Those backing Alhaji Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna’s candidacy reportedly argued that the ideal candidate to challenge Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf should emerge from Kano Central Senatorial District.
According to one insider, “Gawuna enjoys strong political support in Kano Central where the highest concentration of votes is located. Since Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is also from Kano Central and currently serving his first term, many believe the zone should retain the governorship slot in order not to feel politically shortchanged.”
The source further noted that the argument mirrors the political zoning principle adopted nationally by the NDC in allocating its presidential ticket to the South while a southern president remains in office.
Meanwhile, supporters of Comrade Aminu Abdussalam insist that the former deputy governor deserves the ticket based on what they described as his loyalty, sacrifices and longstanding commitment to the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Kwankwasiyya movement nor the NDC leadership in Kano State had issued an official statement regarding the development.
(SOLACEBASE)