2027 Begins Now: Who Truly Commands Kano’s Political Landscape?
Malam Abba Anwar, the respected journalist, deserves commendation for highlighting the deeper implications of the recent political gathering in Kano. His intervention ignited an important debate. Yet beyond the colour and celebration, the event signaled something more profound — it reflected the underlying balance of political power in the state.
What appeared to many as a ceremonial reception also functioned as an unspoken assessment of structure, coordination and influence. Major political outings are not defined solely by crowd numbers; they reveal who possesses organisational capacity, who can effectively mobilise, and who truly commands loyalty at the grassroots.
From observable indicators, the long-standing structure of the All Progressives Congress in Kano remains formidable and operational. The level of coordination, visibility and confidence displayed suggested a network that is deeply entrenched. Such cohesion is cultivated over time through sustained engagement, strategic alliances and disciplined organisation.
For His Excellency, Abba Kabir Yusuf, the moment presents both opportunity and complexity. On one hand, alignment with the ruling party at the centre under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu offers broader political leverage and potential federal collaboration. On the other, successful integration into an established party framework requires careful navigation to maintain and consolidate his existing support base.
Kano’s political terrain is layered and dynamic. It is shaped by enduring loyalties, influential personalities and emotionally invested constituencies. The political footprint of figures such as Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso remains part of the broader equation. Acknowledging this reality is essential. The path forward lies not in confrontation, but in strategic organisation, internal cohesion and demonstrable governance performance.
If there were observable gaps in mobilisation at ward or local government levels, this period offers an opportunity for recalibration. Electoral outcomes in 2027 will hinge less on rhetoric and more on structural depth — the strength of ward executives, the engagement of youth blocs and the unity of party leadership.
This is not a season for factional rivalry, but for consolidation. Kano’s political significance demands deliberate strategy, discipline and cooperation. Those elements will ultimately determine who commands the political ground.
The gathering may have concluded, but its implications endure: preparations for 2027 are already underway. In politics, early organisation often translates into lasting advantage.
— Zulyadaini Sidi Mustapha, writing from Kano