Tinubu’s VP Gambit: Turning Rivals Into Partners For 2027 Power Play

President Bola Tinubu’s offer to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the 2023 New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, to be his vice-presidential running mate in 2027 is a bold and surprising political maneuver that transforms former rivals into potential partners in Nigeria’s evolving political arena.

Far from an insult, the offer signals a strategic realignment aimed at bridging divides and consolidating power across Nigeria’s complex political landscape.

Ladipo Johnson, a senior NNPP chieftain and close confidant of Kwankwaso since 2013, highlighted that the offer reflects deep respect for Kwankwaso’s political stature and influence, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

This move is not a demotion but a recognition of Kwankwaso’s significant political capital, built through his tenure as Kano State governor, Defence Minister, and senator.

His Kwankwassiya movement commands strong loyalty in Kano and the northwest, regions critical for electoral success.

The overture must be understood within the NNPP’s post-2023 election openness to dialogue and coalition-building, including with the ruling APC.

Johnson reveals that APC members have actively encouraged Kwankwaso to accept the VP slot if offered, underscoring Tinubu’s strategic bid to unify northern political support and possibly bring together fragmented opposition forces under a broader coalition.

This alliance serves multiple purposes: it could stabilize Tinubu’s political base, neutralize potential opposition from NNPP, and demonstrate a willingness to integrate divergent political interests for national progress.

Yet, Johnson stresses that acceptance is not guaranteed and remains a “team game,” reflecting internal NNPP dynamics and the need for consensus.

The NNPP is reportedly weighing three strategic paths for 2027: maintaining independence, aligning with APC, or forming an alliance with former PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar.

This flexibility reveals the party’s pragmatic approach to power-sharing and influence, rather than rigid ideological positioning.

Moreover, the offer challenges the traditional view that vice-presidential slots are mere consolation prizes.

Instead, it redefines the role as a platform for genuine partnership and influence in governance.

Johnson’s defense of the offer as “not insulting” reframes the narrative, suggesting that political collaboration—even with former rivals—can be a pathway to stability and national development rather than a sign of weakness.

In essence, Tinubu’s VP gambit turns former adversaries into partners, reflecting Nigeria’s shifting alliances and the NNPP’s emerging role as a kingmaker.

This surprising political strategy could reshape the 2027 elections and the broader political equilibrium in Nigeria, inviting a deeper appreciation of coalition politics beyond simplistic interpretations of insult or honor.

About Kwankwaso

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (born October 21, 1956) is a seasoned Nigerian politician and engineer known for his influential role in Kano State and national politics.

He served as Governor of Kano State twice (1999–2003 and 2011–2015), during which he launched the popular Kwankwassiya movement, advocating social reforms and free education.

After losing his first re-election bid, he was appointed Nigeria’s first Minister of Defence in the Fourth Republic (2003–2007) despite having no military background.

Kwankwaso later served as a senator representing Kano Central (2015–2019) under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He is currently the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and was its presidential candidate in 2023, commanding strong support in Kano and northwestern Nigeria.

Kwankwaso is recognized for his charismatic leadership, grassroots loyalty, and pragmatic political moves, having been affiliated with multiple parties over his career.

He holds advanced degrees in civil engineering from the UK and India and is noted for his focus on education and infrastructure development in Kano State.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook