The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has said that former Kano State governor and leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is politically “trapped” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Keyamo made the remark while reacting to ongoing political realignments and speculations surrounding Kwankwaso’s next move on the national stage. According to the minister, the former presidential candidate’s options have significantly narrowed as major political parties consolidate power and strengthen internal structures ahead of the next election cycle.
He argued that Kwankwaso’s current political platform lacks the national spread and institutional strength required to mount a serious presidential challenge in 2027. Keyamo noted that while Kwankwaso maintains influence in Kano State and parts of the North-West, translating that regional strength into nationwide electoral success remains a major hurdle.
The aviation minister also dismissed suggestions that Kwankwaso could easily return to either the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing such a move as politically complicated. He said lingering mistrust, past defections and internal party dynamics may make reintegration difficult.
Keyamo further claimed that the ruling APC has learned lessons from previous elections and is better positioned strategically for 2027, adding that opposition figures who fail to build broad alliances early may find themselves isolated as the elections draw closer.
Kwankwaso, a former defence minister and two-term governor of Kano State, emerged as a major political force in the 2023 elections after securing significant votes under the NNPP platform. His performance reshaped the political landscape in Kano and challenged the dominance of the two major parties in the state.
As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of 2027, analysts say Kwankwaso’s next steps whether alliance-building, party negotiations, or grassroots expansion will be critical in determining whether he remains a regional power broker or re-emerges as a national contender.
