Power, Pride and 2027: The Kano titans and Tinubu’s grand chessboard, by Engr. Bello Gwarzo Abdullahi, FNSE
“We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”- Martin Luther King Jr.
Politics, at its most riveting, is a spectacle of shifting loyalties, silent pacts, and public drama. And in Nigeria’s unfolding script for 2027, the interplay between Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu offers a masterclass in political maneuvering. These men are not mere actors—they are powerbrokers, gladiators in a contest where the stakes are nothing short of Nigeria’s democratic direction.
Let me begin with a candid disclosure: I am from Kano, and it is only fitting that I first address the political friction at home. Kwankwaso and Ganduje, once allies molded by shared ambition, now find themselves on opposite ends of the political spectrum, each drawing battle lines as they circle the same prize—the heart of Kano and the nod of Tinubu.
Today’s political climate is not defined by ideology or party loyalty, but by power calculations. Amid widespread economic hardship, growing insecurity, and disillusionment with leadership, the political class seems more focused on the elections two years away than on the suffering of today. The ruling elite, rather than confronting Nigeria’s numerous crises, appear instead to be rehearsing the next act in their perpetual power play.
Kwankwaso remains a formidable force in Northern politics, his popularity deeply rooted in grassroots mobilization and visible governance legacies. His success in decimating the APC stronghold in Kano during the last election is no fluke—it is the manifestation of political capital built over years. As the face of the NNPP, his influence extends beyond Kano into the wider northern political consciousness.
Conversely, Ganduje, the current APC National Chairman, is not one to be underestimated. Astute and unapologetically partisan, he has strategically fenced off Kwankwaso from re-entering the APC fold, preserving his own influence while consolidating power at the center. His position within Tinubu’s political machinery places him in a vantage point to dictate terms and block potential rivals.
At the center of it all is President Tinubu—a master strategist whose rise from Lagos kingmaker to national president was the result of meticulous planning and relentless ambition. His “Emilokan” mantra may have been mocked by some, but it ultimately captured the spirit of political entitlement and strategic timing. For 2027, however, the game is no longer his alone—it is now a chessboard with multiple grandmasters.
The question remains: Will Tinubu gamble on Ganduje’s loyalty and political structure? Or will he look to Kwankwaso’s populist clout as an insurance policy against waning public goodwill? Either way, both men must ask themselves a sobering question—how long will Kano tolerate their rivalry when unity could bring tangible development and stronger political relevance?
This is not merely about personal ambition; it is about the destiny of millions. The swelling disenchantment across the country signals a readiness for change. And if the current power holders misread the mood of the nation, they may find themselves swept aside by forces greater than their calculations.
Nigerians are not asking for miracles. They are asking for leadership with empathy, vision, and the courage to put people above politics. Kwankwaso, Ganduje, Tinubu—these men have been blessed with education, influence, and platforms that few ever attain. The question is, will they wield their power for transformation or for personal glory?
As 2027 draws closer, the shadows lengthen. Political alignments will shift. Deals will be made. Betrayals will occur. But in the end, history will remember not the cunning of politicians, but the courage of those who rose above the fray and sided with the people.
Let “Emilokan” be more than a slogan. Let it be a call to rewrite Nigeria’s story—away from oppression, nepotism, and economic strangulation, toward a nation reborn through justice, inclusion, and opportunity.
History belongs to the brave. Let us write it with integrity.
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