A prominent supporter of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Hamma Hayatu, has dismissed reports suggesting that former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, could emerge as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate in the 2027 general election.
Hayatu, a vocal ally of Atiku on social media, described the speculation as unrealistic and urged Kwankwaso to abandon any alliance with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Instead, he advised the former governor to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he could contest for a senatorial seat with a long-term ambition of becoming Senate President.
In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, Hayatu ruled out the possibility of Kwankwaso leaving the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the APC ahead of the next presidential election.
“There have been talks that Tinubu may replace Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2027 and pick Kwankwaso as his running mate.
That will never happen,” Hayatu wrote. “He should rather defect to ADC and contest to be Senator on his way to be Senate President under the Atiku/Obi government. The above is easily doable.”
Political speculations have intensified in recent weeks over possible realignments ahead of 2027, with some analysts suggesting that Kwankwaso, the NNPP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, could align with the APC if President Tinubu seeks re-election.
Kwankwaso, a former Minister of Defence and two-term governor of Kano State, commands a strong political base in Kano and parts of the North-West through the Kwankwasiyya movement. Although the NNPP finished fourth in the 2023 presidential election, the party recorded significant success in Kano, winning the governorship and most legislative seats.
The ADC has recently gained attention as a potential platform for opposition figures seeking to form a broad coalition ahead of the 2027 polls. Both Atiku, who contested the 2023 election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party’s Peter Obi have reportedly aligned with the ADC.
Kwankwaso has not publicly confirmed any plan to defect from the NNPP or join any coalition. However, political observers note that his next move will be crucial to the calculations of both the ruling party and the opposition as Nigeria moves closer to another election cycle.