Politics
Revealed: What Kwankwaso Demanded flFrom Tinubu That Ended Defection Deal, Inside Story
The anticipation surrounding former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso potentially joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) in preparation for the 2027 elections has waned following a recent private meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
Both sides have kept details of their discussion under wraps, leading to speculation about terms and conditions that may have been turned down by either party.
Days later, the leader of Kwankwasiyya Movement openly riticized Tinubu’s administration for what he described as the neglect of the northern region of Nigeria and the concentration of the nation’s resources on developing the southern part of the country where the president comes from.
Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of lopsided allocation of scarce resources between the two regions of the country.
To further fuel the speculation of disagreement, Kwankwaso welcomed thousands of defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) into his party in Kano State.
Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, disclosed this on Friday via his official X handle, noting that the event was held at his residence in Kano.
If there is one political heavyweight who has been constantly tipped to join the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, for more than 6 months, and it’s no other the former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party in the 2023 General election.
Those who understand the game of politics know that he’s a big player with many benefits for any political party he chooses to align with because of his legion of followers, especially in the core North (North Central).
Tinubu and Kwankwaso
Top APC members across Nigeria have been wooing Kwakwanso to join the ruling party to solidify their chances in the forthcoming presidential election, considering all the rumours of a Coalition from the opposition, which has become a sudden threat to the ruling party.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has met with Kwankwaso. Not once or twice. They have been working on how to work together for 2027, and it is also a known fact that the president is a long-time friend of Kwankwaso. There have been several meetings, but Kwankwaso has made it clear that his demand must be met otherwise, there is no need to defect to the ruling party. Those conditions and demands have not been fully met yet, City People can reveal.
First, he (kwankwaso) wasn’t ready to work with Ganduje as party Chairman but that has been taken care of. He still wants to hold the structure of his state, Kano, and he has a lot at stake relinquishing his ambition to join the APC.
We were told that he also informed the president that if he must move to the APC, then it must be for something tangible that he would be getting in exchange. That’s where the question lies.
CityPeople said, Kwankwaso said he would like to be a running candidate for president in the 2027 General election. That he must have a reasonable office to sustain his teeming followers whom he has been nurturing for many years.
Will his demands be met? Some top NNPP chieftains close to Kwankwaso indicated that their defection to the APC would happen once specific details are finalised.
There was initial the fear that created unease among Ganduje, and their supporters, who fear that Kwankwaso might join the APC and take control of the party’s structure in the state. However, President Tinubu is working to ease the tensions with some of the recent adjustments. One of such major adjustments is the resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje as APC National Chairman.
Another source also corroborated earlier assumptions about the potential deal between Kwankwaso and the President: “Kwankwaso has made it clear that he will only defect to the APC if he is offered the vice presidency. President Tinubu has considered this option and believes that Kwankwaso’s popularity and acceptability in the North, especially in the key states of Kaduna and Katsina—home to a significant portion of the electoral vote—are major factors to consider.
Just as Vice President Shettima is being rumoured to not run along with President Tinubu in 2027, fueling the Kwankwaso deal with the President.
A top chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam Salihu Isa Nataro, a few days ago advised, saying Shettima no longer appears to have the full backing of President Bola Tinubu.
A top source within APC revealed that, the president did not agree with certain conditions from Kwanwaso during the closed-doors meeting.
The lawmakers who represent Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya and Karaye/Rogo Federal Constituencies, both in Kano, anchored their defection on what they called “The internal crisis rocking the NNPP.”
Similarly, a member representing Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency, Osun State, Oluwole Oke, formally announced his defection to the APC.
In attendance at the plenary to show solidarity with the defectors was the former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.….Continue Reading
As Osun State heads towards the August 15, 2026 governorship election, the battle between incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party and Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is becoming one of the most closely watched political contests in the country.
While the election remains too close to call with certainty, a careful assessment of the current political situation gives Governor Ademola Adeleke a slight edge over Oyebamiji.
The contest is increasingly shaping up as a two-horse race, although African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salaam remains a notable third-force contender.
Why Adeleke May Have the Advantage
One of Adeleke’s biggest strengths is incumbency. The governor is seeking to retain the office and has been campaigning on projects and programmes implemented during his first term.
His campaign has also received political boosts from defections by some former APC figures and associates of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola. Several former commissioners and aides have reportedly moved towards Adeleke’s camp.
Adeleke has additionally received endorsements from some traditional security outfits and ethnic groups in the state, although such endorsements should not automatically be interpreted as guaranteed votes.
Another important factor is the governor’s political visibility. Having contested and won the governorship previously, Adeleke already has an established electoral structure and name recognition across the state.
Why Oyebamiji Could Still Shock Adeleke
Despite Adeleke’s advantages, Oyebamiji should not be underestimated.
The APC candidate has the backing of the federal ruling party and former Governor Oyetola, while the APC is attempting to regain control of Osun after losing the governorship in 2022. Analysts have described the contest as a critical battle for the APC and a test of its ability to recover political ground in the state.
An earlier opinion poll published in January gave Oyebamiji 52 per cent against Adeleke’s 38 per cent, although that survey is several months old and should not be treated as a current projection of the final result.
The APC has also been working to consolidate its structures across the state and present Oyebamiji as an alternative to the incumbent.
The Major Problem for APC
The biggest concern for Oyebamiji may be internal cohesion.
Reports in recent weeks have highlighted resignations and defections within the Osun APC, with some former party members moving towards Adeleke’s camp.
If the APC fails to unite its grassroots structures before election day completely, Adeleke could benefit significantly.
Prediction
Prediction: Ademola Adeleke is slightly more likely to win the Osun 2026 governorship election.
Ademola Adeleke (Accord): 50%
Bola Oyebamiji (APC): 40%
Najeem Salaam (ADC): 10%
These figures are mere analytical estimates, not opinion polls or official forecasts. The election could still swing towards Oyebamiji if the APC succeeds in consolidating its structures, increasing turnout in its strongholds and converting federal political influence into actual votes.
However, based on incumbency, Adeleke’s existing grassroots structure, recent defections to his camp and the current political momentum, the prediction at this stage is that Adeleke could narrowly retain the Osun Government House.
The outcome will ultimately depend on voter turnout, party organisation, election-day mobilisation and the actual votes cast and counted on August 15.
Predicted Winner: Ademola Adeleke — Accord Party.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday ruled against Mr. Timehin Adeleye, who represented the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency of Ondo State, declaring him ineligible as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the federal constituency.
The court recognized Abdugani Arobo as the legitimate candidate for the party.
Adeleye had previously been listed as a candidate based on information provided to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC).
However, this decision sparked protests among several APC members and party leaders in Ondo State who opposed the NWC’s ruling.
Abdugani Arobo, one of the aspirants dissatisfied with the NWC’s selection, initiated legal action against the APC and INEC, culminating in the recent court decision.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, the court held that the APC failed to make the lawful return and that the evidence of the party was riddled with inconsistencies.
The court declared that the plaintiff (Arobo) was the winner of the primary election for the House of Representatives election for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency.
The judgment read, “The plaintiff, having scored the highest lawful votes cast at the primary election held on the 16th day of May, 2026 with a total of 7,959 votes in Owo Local Government Area and 2,583 votes in Ose Local Government Area respectively, is the only aspirant whose name can be lawfully forwarded to the second defendant (INEC) as its nominated candidate for the seat of the House of Representatives, representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituency.
“An order is hereby made for the defendants to forthwith accept, recognise, support, relate and deal with only the plaintiff, as winner of the House of Representatives election for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, the plaintiff having scored the highest lawful votes cast in the first defendant’s primary election conducted on the 16th day of May, 2026.
“An order of perpetual injunction is made restraining the defendants, their agents and privies howsoever described, from recognising, dealing or relating with any other person apart from the plaintiff, as winner of the House of Representatives election for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, the plaintiff having scored the highest lawful votes cast in the first defendant’s primary election conducted on the 16th day of May, 2026.
“An order is further made, directing the 2nd defendant forthwith to reopen its portal, for the purpose of including and uploading the plaintiff’s name, as rightfully nominated candidate of the 1st defendant, for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency general election, to be conducted in 2027.”
The Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Gombe Local Government Area of Gombe State, Hon. Babangida Usman, popularly known as Babangida Ventures, has resigned from the party and defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in support of the governorship ambition of Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami ahead of the 2027 general election.
Babangida announced his resignation in Gombe, confirming that he had stepped down as ADC Local Government Secretary before formally joining the PDP.
Explaining the reasons for his defection, he said his decision was driven by his conviction that Professor Pantami possesses the competence, experience and leadership qualities required to move Gombe State forward.
He described the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy as the most credible and capable aspirant in the 2027 governorship race, expressing confidence that his administration would accelerate development across the state.
According to him, his decision to align with the PDP was borne out of his desire to contribute to the realisation of Pantami’s governorship aspiration and the transformation of Gombe State.
The defection is the latest in a series of political realignments in the state following Pantami’s emergence as the PDP governorship candidate, with several politicians and supporters across party lines declaring their support for his ambition.
Professor Pantami is expected to fly the PDP flag in the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State
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