The member representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has acknowledged the strong political influence of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 presidential election, but insisted that President Bola Tinubu has the advantage in the state.

Jibrin made the assessment while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, where he discussed the emerging political battle in Kano ahead of the 2027 elections.

Kwankwaso, a former two-term governor of Kano State, is currently the running mate to former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Although Jibrin previously worked closely with Kwankwaso, he is now a member of Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC). He said his familiarity with Kwankwaso’s political structure, including the Kwankwasiyya movement, would help the APC develop strategies to counter his influence.

Jibrin maintained that Tinubu would defeat Kwankwaso’s political camp in Kano, arguing that the former governor’s position as a vice-presidential candidate would create a different dynamic from what would have been the case if he were contesting for president.

“There is a difference between Kwankwaso being on the ballot as a presidential candidate and being on the ballot as a running mate. There is a sharp difference, there are completely two different things,” he said.

According to the lawmaker, Kwankwaso’s direct presence on the presidential ballot could have made the contest significantly more difficult for the APC in Kano.

“If Kwankwaso were on the ballot as a presidential candidate, the dynamics in Kano might be different, but he is not the presidential candidate,” Jibrin added.

However, Jibrin rejected claims that Kwankwaso had lost his political relevance in Kano, describing him as a formidable political force with a strong support base.

“We know him very, very well, we know his strategy, he is still influential, he has supporter base in Kano. Whoever tells you he doesn’t have supporter base is not telling you the truth. So, it’s going to be a tough battle,” he said.

The APC lawmaker also explained that his opposition to his former political ally was not based on personal differences.

Jibrin said Kwankwaso played an important role in his political development and that he continued to respect him despite their current political differences.

“Of course he gave me a push in politics and I appreciate everything and I have said repeatedly, I will continue to respect him and I will never join issues with him,” he said.

He noted that political loyalties had changed over the years, pointing out that both he and Kwankwaso had moved between political parties.

With Kano expected to remain one of the major battlegrounds in the 2027 presidential election, Jibrin’s comments highlight the importance of Kwankwaso’s political network while projecting confidence within the APC that Tinubu can secure the state.