Anambra Central Senator Victor Umeh has expressed confidence that former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso will deliver Kano State for the Nigeria Democratic Congress in the 2027 general election.
Umeh said political noise from the All Progressives Congress would not be enough to defeat Kwankwaso in the state, where the former governor remains a major political force.
The senator’s comments come amid preparations for the 2027 presidential election and the growing rivalry between the ruling APC and opposition platforms.
Kwankwaso remains one of the most influential politicians in Kano, having served as governor twice and represented the state in the Senate.
His political movement, particularly the Kwankwasiyya movement, has maintained a strong grassroots presence across Kano and parts of northern Nigeria.
Umeh’s confidence reflects the importance of Kano in the 2027 presidential contest.
The state has one of Nigeria’s largest voting populations and has historically played a significant role in determining the outcome of national elections.
Kwankwaso’s political strength was demonstrated during the 2023 presidential election, when he contested on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party.
His performance in Kano helped him secure a substantial share of the state’s votes.
The political environment has since changed, however, with opposition forces undergoing realignment ahead of 2027.
Kwankwaso is now associated with the emerging opposition coalition and has been identified as a key figure in the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
Umeh said the APC should not mistake political publicity for actual electoral strength.
His assessment is likely to be challenged by APC supporters, who argue that the ruling party has its own extensive political structures and that the 2027 contest will be decided by a much broader national electorate.
The dispute over Kano nevertheless illustrates why the state is expected to be one of the most fiercely contested battlegrounds in the next presidential election.
For Tinubu’s APC, winning or substantially improving its performance in Kano would be strategically important.
For the opposition, maintaining Kwankwaso’s influence in the state could provide a major electoral advantage.
The contest will therefore be closely watched as the two sides build their grassroots structures and seek to consolidate voter support.
For now, Umeh has thrown his weight behind Kwankwaso and dismissed suggestions that the APC can defeat the former Kano governor in his political stronghold.