Chief Sam Nkire, founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has stated that the return of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to the APC would virtually guarantee President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory in the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement on Sunday, Nkire urged President Tinubu to take steps to bring Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), back into the APC fold, arguing that doing so would strengthen Tinubu’s position ahead of the election.
Although Tinubu is expected to win in 2027, Nkire maintained that including Kwankwaso would “nail the coffin,” metaphorically speaking, of any serious opposition.
He called on Tinubu to explore an agreement with Kwankwaso, pointing out their long-standing relationship and suggesting that their shared history makes such collaboration feasible.
Nkire also recalled how, during the APC primaries in 2014, he and Kwankwaso jointly approached then-APC leader Bola Tinubu to seek his support, which Tinubu declined, saying he had already committed to General Buhari.
According to Nkire, this earlier episode shows the depth of political connections between Kwankwaso and Tinubu, implying that reconciliation is not only possible but natural.
On the conditions for Kwankwaso’s return, Nkire expressed confidence in Tinubu’s ability to negotiate terms, be they political or aligned with broader collaboration efforts.
He suggested that any deal, merger, or alliance that includes Kwankwaso will bolster Tinubu’s chances and solidify the APC’s position going into 2027.
