Kano NDC Ticket: Kwankwaso Faces Tough Choice Between Gwarzo, Gawuna

Political tension is rising in Kano State as supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) await the official unveiling of the party’s governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 election.

The expected announcement is to be made by former Kano State governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

According to The PUNCH, sources within the movement indicated that extensive consultations and closed-door meetings have been held in recent days to determine the party’s candidate.

Credible sources familiar with the process said former Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo, has emerged as the preferred consensus candidate.

Naija News reports that Gwarzo left office in March following a political crisis that reportedly led to impeachment proceedings after Governor Abba Yusuf defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

Insiders said the decision followed marathon consultations involving key stakeholders within the Kwankwasiyya political structure.

“The discussions were intense and far-reaching, but at the end of the day, the movement agreed on Gwarzo as the consensus candidate,” one source said.

The movement was also said to have considered former APC governorship candidate Nasiru Gawuna, who joined the Kwankwasiyya camp after Yusuf’s defection.

Sources disclosed that efforts were made to accommodate Gawuna within the emerging arrangement through offers of either the deputy governorship position or the Kano Central senatorial ticket.

However, he reportedly declined both options.

According to insiders, Gawuna insisted that his decision to join the movement was based on principle and not personal political gain.

Some stakeholders argued that zoning the governorship ticket to Kano Central would provide a strategic electoral advantage for the opposition bloc.

Supporters of Gawuna pointed to his grassroots influence in the district, describing Kano Central as the political heartbeat of the state.

“Gawuna has strong grassroots appeal in Kano Central, which remains the electoral heartbeat of the state. A candidate from that axis would have given the party a strategic advantage,” a source said.

Meanwhile, supporters of Gwarzo argued that his loyalty, sacrifices and commitment to the Kwankwasiyya ideology made him the best candidate for the ticket.

Political consultations and lobbying have intensified across different factions as party members await the final decision.

Political commentator Ahmed Gogel urged the movement not to overlook Gawuna’s political strength.

“If Kwankwaso truly wants to defeat Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, then he must consider Gawuna seriously,” Gogel said.

“Politics is about numbers and acceptability. Gawuna remains one of the most formidable candidates in Kano.”