The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, says the presidential ambition of the leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, may be at serious risk ahead of the 2027 general election unless he forges an alliance with a major political party.
Keyamo, in a statement shared on X on Sunday, January 25, 2026, said Kwankwaso’s refusal to embrace an earlier olive branch from the All Progressives Congress (APC) has left him politically isolated at a critical stage of his career.
The minister stated that none of Nigeria’s major political parties is currently disposed to offering Kwankwaso a presidential ticket in 2027, noting that the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are expected to zone their tickets to the South, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is believed to be firmly under the influence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
He described the NNPP as “a one-state party,” expressing doubts over its ability to retain control of Kano State following recent defections, including that of the sitting governor.
Keyamo said: “Kwankwaso will not support a northern candidate because that ends his own Presidential ambition since he may have to wait for another 16 years after 2027 to get a shot at the Presidency – 8 likely years for the northern candidate and another 8 likely years when it rotates to the South again. That’s a gamble he will not take. He will be 86 years old by then. So, this entirely rules out an Atiku-Kwankwaso cooperation in 2027
“Based on the above calculations, the only pathway for Kwankwaso is in 2031, but the alliance he builds in 2027 will be crucial to his ambitions in 2031. If his grip on Kano slips in 2027, it will water down his clout and influence in 2031 to be handed a Presidential ticket by any of the major political parties. This is the time he can cash in on his presumed dominance of Kano politics and take a chance.”
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Keyamo listed three potential platforms as possible options for Kwankwaso – the PDP, APC, and Labour Party – saying each party has significant challenges.
The minister stated: “With the PDP now gasping for breath, it may be easier for Kwankwaso to return to PDP on some terms (like taking over the entire structure in Kano and some North West States and returning Kano to PDP). And that will signal the death of NNPP. But with the zoning of the Presidential ticket to the South, that would mean a suspension of his 2027 Presidential ambition till 2031.
“If Kwankwaso decides to pitch tent with the APC, he is in no position to dictate so much terms to the Party. With the exodus of key figures from NNPP to APC in Kano, the APC’s structure in Kano is now in better stead to challenge the NNPP in 2027. The APC is therefore not so desperate for a Kwankwaso in Kano, but would be glad to welcome him into the Party. He still remains an asset.
“But one thing is sure: the APC cannot throw its entire structure in Kano under the bus for a Kwankwaso, especially with the Governor parting ways with him. However, the attraction of the APC for him is that the APC still has the national spread and structures to retain power in 2031. So, an APC option for Kwankwaso will also mean a suspension of his Presidential ambition till 2031.
“The 2027 Labour Party option for Kwankwaso is narrower because he simply cannot and will not run as Vice-Presidential candidate to Peter Obi. Take that to the bank. His own people will not even support him to give a likely fresh 8 years to the South (forget all the noise of ‘I will serve just one term).”
Keyamo, therefore, said Kwankwaso “is in a very difficult political crossroads”, adding: “The decision he makes now may retire him permanently from politics or revive his Presidential ambition. But one fact is clear: just like late Buhari and the CPC, without a handshake with another major Party, he will remain a local champion with his NNPP, but that too may soon vanish with the present predicament of the Party in Kano.”
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