2027: Tinubu Still Favoured to Win Kano Despite Kwankwaso Eyeing Opposition Realignment – Reno Omokri
Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will emerge victorious in Kano State in the 2027 presidential election, despite the expected opposition realignment of a major political figure in the state, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
ThelensNG reports that Kwankwaso resigned from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) on Sunday, citing the need for strategic realignment, and is expected to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Reacting to the development on Monday, Omokri appealed to supporters of President Tinubu to treat Kwankwaso with courtesy as he looks set to join another opposition party.
“You are not from a low political culture of insults, abuse, and boorish behaviour. We know those who behave like that. Do not descend to their level. Mr Kwankwaso is a formidable politician who loves Nigeria, and for democracy to thrive, there must be opposition,” he said.
Omokri argued that with about ten months to the next election, if supporters of the President conduct themselves with respect, decorum, and maturity, it could encourage even opposition figures to warm to Tinubu’s re-election bid.
According to him, one does not have to belong to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to support the President, noting that patriotism is the key requirement.
The former presidential aide asserted that by displaying the highest level of gentlemanly conduct, there is every possibility that Kwankwaso and many others will see the wisdom in maintaining Nigeria’s stability by respecting the principle of rotation of power between the North and South.
Omokri also stated that such conduct could help opposition figures appreciate the socioeconomic and political strides of the Tinubu administration, which he said have benefited Nigerians broadly, particularly the people of Kano State, whose federal allocation has more than doubled under the current administration.
He highlighted several projects either initiated or revived under Tinubu that favour Kano State, including the $2.89 billion (₦4.5 trillion) Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, the $1.2 billion (₦2 trillion) Kano-Kaduna rail line, and the ₦150 billion Kano light rail project already allocated by the administration.
Other projects include the 465-kilometre Trans-Saharan Road, estimated at $750 million (₦1.2 trillion), the approval of ₦334 billion for the Kano-Kongolom Road project, the ongoing reconstruction of the Kano-Maiduguri Road, and the approval and disbursement of ₦47 billion for the completion of the long-abandoned Jakara–Wuju–Wuju road and sewage project.
Omokri further pointed out the introduction of the Kano-Lagos narrow rail express service for cargo and agricultural produce aimed at boosting exports.
He emphasised that continuity at both the federal and state levels in Kano would further accelerate the ongoing development strides in the state.
He added that this message of progress and stability should be projected rather than resorting to hostility towards a respected Nigerian who has served the country in multiple capacities.
