The Kwankwasiyya Movement has dismissed reports of internal division over the allocation of political positions ahead of the 2027 elections in Kano State.
The movement insisted that all decisions were reached through consensus and accepted by key stakeholders.
This is coming after the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on Friday morning nominated Aminu Abdulsalam, a former deputy governor of Kano State, as its governorship candidate for the 2027 election, following a consensus arrangement concluded on Thursday night.
In the same arrangement, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2023 election who recently defected to the NDC, emerged as the senatorial candidate for Kano Central.
Gawuna, who had initially been vying for the governorship ticket under the NDC, will now contest for the Kano Central Senatorial seat, currently occupied by Rufai Sani Hanga.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, the spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Habib Saleh Mailemo, said there was no disagreement within the group over the outcome of the consensus process.
“Well, first you have to understand that the Kwankwasiyya Movement is a very disciplined organization and we have our ways of handling issues relating to contention for political offices,” he said.
He explained that within 48 hours of the return of the movement’s leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, consensus candidates were agreed upon for all major positions.
“Within 48 hours of the arrival of our national leader, the movement was able to sort out consensus candidates across the positions of House of Representatives, State Assemblies, Senators and Governor, and we are ready to go,” he stated.
According to him, although outsiders may see the process as complicated, members of the movement are fully involved at every stage.
“To others, this process is very tedious. To some, it involves manipulations. But to us, it is always an open process because all members are aware of the steps being taken before decisions are reached,” he said.
Habeeb maintained that the emergence of Abdulsalam as governorship candidate was seamless and that Gawuna was fully part of the decision-making process, contrary to other claims.
“I believe that decision did not only involve Gawuna. He was part of it. He was not only consulted, he was actually part of the entire process to the end,” he said.
He also dismissed claims that Gawuna refused to step down for Abdulsalam.
“I think that is just mere speculation. There was never a time when he, or anybody close to him, stated that he rejected the offer,” he said.
According to Habeeb, Gawuna only requested time to consult and reflect before taking a final position.
“When the decision was presented, he asked for a little time to process it and come back with his position. That does not amount to rejection,” he explained.
“For someone who had aimed to become governor within this election cycle, it was normal to take some time and consult with those around him.”
He added that Gawuna later returned and accepted the decision of the movement.
“He eventually came back and expressed his acceptance,” he said.
On the position of the incumbent senator, Rufai Sani Hanga, Habeeb said he also understood and supported the consensus arrangement, dismissing any suggestion of discontent.
“That position is currently occupied by Senator Rufai Sani Hanga, who is also one of the leading members of this movement, and he agreed to support that decision. He understands and he is not angry,” he said.
Habeeb stressed that the conduct of both Gawuna and Hanga reflects the discipline and unity within the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
“We are one big family guided by discipline, dedication and commitment to a single goal of protecting the downtrodden and ensuring social justice prevails at all times,” he added.
Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo had earlier resigned as Deputy Governor of Kano State in March following a political fallout with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, which stemmed from the governor’s defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in January; his resignation came just weeks after the Kano State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against him.
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