Kano NDC Governorship Candidate Picks Kwankwaso’s Son as Running Mate for 2027 Poll

The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo has unveiled Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.

The development was confirmed on Monday by Habibu Mohammed, spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

In a brief statement, Mohammed announced the emergence of Mustapha as deputy governorship candidate on the NDC ticket. The appointment was also confirmed by Saifullahi Hassan, media aide to Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in a separate post on social media.

Mustapha is the son of former Kano State governor and NDC vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The choice of Mustapha is expected to further strengthen the Kwankwasiyya political structure within the NDC as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.

Both Gwarzo and Mustapha previously served in the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. Gwarzo held the position of deputy governor, while Mustapha served as Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development.

Their exits from the Kano State Government followed the political fallout between Governor Yusuf and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a crisis that eventually culminated in Kwankwaso's departure from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the NDC.

Political observers believe the emergence of Mustapha as running mate signals the growing influence of the Kwankwasiyya bloc within the NDC's political calculations ahead of the next electoral cycle.