KWANKWASO’S MAN WINS: Abdussalam Emerges Kano NDC Guber Candidate, Gawuna Settles for Senate

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State has finally resolved its ticket crisis — but make no mistake, this was Kwankwaso’s call.

According to Daily Nigeria, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the NDC leader and undisputed power broker in Kano politics, sealed the deal: Comrade Aminu Abdussalam will fly the NDC governorship flag, while former deputy governor Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna has been nudged into accepting a senatorial ticket instead.

Abdussalam Takes the Big Prize

Abdussalam’s emergence as the NDC gubernatorial candidate marks a significant moment in Kano’s 2027 race. A known labour activist and grassroots mobiliser, his candidacy carries the Kwankwaso stamp — signalling the party’s bid to blend progressive credentials with the former governor’s formidable political machine.

Gawuna’s Surprise Demotion

Gawuna’s decision to step down from the governorship race and accept a senatorial ticket has raised eyebrows across the state. The former deputy governor, who commands deep political networks and name recognition, was widely expected to lead the NDC’s charge for Government House.

Political insiders confirm the arrangement was brokered at the highest level — with Kwankwaso’s influence written all over it. The move avoids a destructive primary battle while keeping key stakeholders under control.

Kwankwaso’s Kano

This is classic Kwankwaso politics: decisive, calculated, and leaving no room for dissent. By installing Abdussalam and repositioning Gawuna, he has consolidated his grip on the NDC’s Kano structure without triggering an open rebellion.

What This Means for 2027

The ticket swap reshapes the Kano political landscape. With Abdussalam at the top and Gawuna anchoring the senatorial race, the NDC is betting on a combination of Kwankwaso’s loyalist energy and established political networks to challenge the ruling party’s dominance.

Opposition Watch

Rival parties are already recalibrating. The unexpected pairing disrupts earlier assumptions about the NDC’s vulnerabilities and could complicate calculations for the APC and other contenders.

With Kwankwaso pulling the strings from behind the scenes, all eyes turn to the campaign trail — and whether his latest power play will deliver the Governorship House in 2027.

Source – Daily Nigeria