Gwarzo tipped as Kwankwaso’s choice for Kano gov

Kano State is experiencing heightened political tension as supporters and stakeholders await the official announcement of the Nigeria Democratic Congress governorship candidate by Dr. Rabiu Kwankwankwaso, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement. Strong indications suggest that a consensus nominee has already been selected following days of closed-door meetings and consultations with key political actors.

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

Credible sources point to Aminu Gwarzo, the immediate past Deputy Governor of Kano State, as the preferred candidate. Gwarzo resigned his position in March amid a political crisis that reportedly involved an impeachment notice from the state House of Assembly, following Governor Abba Yusuf's defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sources close to the development revealed that the final decision was reached after extensive internal deliberations within the Kwankwasiyya political structure. This process also involved reviewing the candidature of Dr. Nasiru Gawuna, the former APC governorship flag bearer in the 2023 election. Gawuna had defected from the APC after Governor Yusuf's move, as his loyalists felt sidelined within the state's APC.

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Gawuna maintained that his entry into the Kwankwasiyya movement was based on principle and unconditional loyalty, stressing that he would remain committed to the movement irrespective of the outcome of the governorship ticket negotiations.

Insiders stated that Kwankwankwaso, after consulting extensively with loyalists and stakeholders, ultimately settled on Gwarzo as the consensus choice on Wednesday. "The discussions were intense and far-reaching, but at the end of the day, the movement agreed on Gwarzo as the consensus candidate," one of the sources said. Efforts were reportedly made to accommodate Gawuna within the emerging political arrangement, including offers of the deputy governorship position or the Kano Central senatorial ticket. However, Gawuna is said to have turned down these proposals, reportedly maintaining that his entry into the Kwankwasiyya movement was based on principle and unconditional loyalty.

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Zoning the governorship ticket to Kano Central would enhance the opposition bloc’s electoral competitiveness, noting that Governor Yusuf also hails from the zone and is serving his first term.

Some political actors had previously argued that zoning the governorship ticket to Kano Central would strengthen the opposition bloc's electoral prospects, noting that Governor Yusuf also hails from that zone and is currently serving his first term. However, supporters of Gwarzo contend that his political loyalty, sacrifices, and long-standing alignment with the Kwankwasiyya ideology make him the most suitable candidate to lead the party into the election. Meanwhile, political activities and consultations continue within the state.

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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.