Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad has suggested that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is losing the political influence he once enjoyed in Kano State following his decision to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Ahmad made the claim in a post on X while reacting to reports of another possible political realignment involving members of Kwankwaso’s camp in Kano.
“Sen. Kwankwaso must be regretting his decision to join the NDC. The move appears to be costing him the political ground he once firmly held in Kano,” Ahmad wrote.
His comment came amid growing indications that the NDC is facing setbacks in Kano, one of the states where Kwankwaso has maintained a strong political presence for years.
The latest development involves former Kano State Deputy Governor Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, who is reportedly preparing to leave the NDC for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside members of his political structure.
Gawuna, who is also the NDC senatorial candidate, is a prominent politician in Kano and an ally of Kwankwaso. His possible defection could further weaken the opposition party’s structure in the state if his supporters and associates follow him to the APC.
The development followed a solidarity visit by members of Gawuna’s political camp to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and his deputy, Murtala Sule Garo.
The delegation, led by Muhammad Badaru Umar, a close associate of Gawuna, included NDC Vice Chairman in Kano State Ali Datti Yako, Mansur Isa Gawuna, Uba Tanko Mijinyawa, popularly known as Uba Danzainab, Aminu Umar Faruk, Sani Jibrin, Salisu Muhammad, Musa Sani Indabo, Muhammad Kabir Bala, Hassan Abba Abdullahi and Abdurrahman Muhammad.
According to the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the delegation said it was visiting the governor as part of consultations on the development of Kano State.
Umar said the group remained committed to the progress of the state, while Yako praised Governor Yusuf’s administration.
“Everyone knows that Governor Yusuf is working tirelessly to transform Kano State,” Yako said.
The visit has increased speculation that Gawuna and politicians associated with his camp could soon formally join the APC.
Ahmad, reacting to the development, said the movement was another indication of the difficulties confronting the NDC in Kano.
“Last night, Dr. Gawuna’s team paid a solidarity visit to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ahead of their eventual defection,” he wrote.
The anticipated move is coming shortly after Senator Rufai Sani Hanga, who represents Kano Central Senatorial District, resigned from the NDC.
Hanga announced his resignation in a letter dated August 3, 2026, addressed to the NDC Ward Chairman in Dakata Ward, Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
The senator said his decision followed “careful reflection and personal deliberation” and was intended to enable him to pursue other personal commitments and career paths.
“I am writing to formally notify you of my resignation from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), effective from today, 3rd August 2026,” Hanga stated.
He thanked the party’s ward leadership and members for their support during his time in the party and requested that his name be removed from the NDC membership register. He also returned his membership card.
Hanga’s resignation came shortly after his meeting with President Bola Tinubu, adding to speculation about possible political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kwankwaso’s current position in the NDC followed a series of political movements involving the former Kano governor. He was previously a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) before moving into the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where opposition politicians were involved in efforts to build a coalition against Tinubu and the APC.
In May, Kwankwaso and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi formally joined the NDC after leaving the ADC.
Videos from the event showed the two politicians receiving NDC membership cards at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, with Kwankwaso presented his card before Obi received his.
Their entry into the NDC was seen as a major boost for the relatively new opposition platform as it sought to attract prominent politicians and establish itself as a major force ahead of the 2027 elections.
