The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has declared that the 2027 presidential ambition of former Kano State Governor and national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is “effectively dead.”
Keyamo based his assertion on party zoning arrangements, the weakening of the NNPP’s political structure in Kano State, and Kwankwaso’s refusal to align early with any major political party, which he said have combined to undermine his prospects ahead of the next general election.
In a statement issued on his official X handle on Sunday, the minister said Kwankwaso’s decision to ignore what he described as “an olive branch” earlier extended by the All Progressives Congress APC had left him politically isolated at a time when alliances are already being sealed ahead of 2027.
“Kwankwaso boxed himself into a corner by rejecting opportunities when they mattered,” the minister said.
“Today, the political space has shifted, and there is no major party ready to accommodate his presidential ambition in 2027.”
He argued that the NNPP lacks the national spread required to win a presidential election and warned that its dominance in Kano is rapidly eroding due to defections.
“NNPP is a one state party, and even that state is slipping,” he stated.
“Once Kano goes, the illusion of national relevance disappears.”
Keyamo also dismissed any possibility of a North North alliance in 2027, insisting that Kwankwaso would not support another Northern presidential candidate because it would end his own ambition.
“He cannot back a Northern candidate and then wait another 16 years for power to rotate,” he said.
“That calculation alone has shut the door on cooperation with Atiku.”
According to the minister, Kwankwaso’s only remaining options returning to the Peoples Democratic Party, joining the APC, or aligning with the Labour Party would all require him to abandon his 2027 presidential ambition.
“No party will mortgage its structure for him at this stage,” he said.
“The era where Kwankwaso dictated terms is over.”
While acknowledging that 2031 could still offer a lifeline, Keyamo warned that even that possibility depends on Kwankwaso retaining control of Kano in 2027.
“If he loses Kano, he loses everything,” he added.
“That would reduce him to a regional footnote in national politics.”
“This is not analysis for comfort,” the minister concluded.
“It is a warning. The next move Kwankwaso makes may decide whether he remains relevant or retires from politics altogether.”
