Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, the Nigeria Democratic Congress governorship candidate for Kano State, has picked Hon. Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate ahead of the 2027 election.
The announcement was made Monday by Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, spokesman of the Kwankwasiyya Movement. Gwarzo’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Shuaibu, also confirmed the selection, saying the choice followed consultations with party stakeholders.
Mustapha Kwankwaso is the eldest son of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Kano governor and national leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement. He served as Kano Commissioner for Youth and Sports under Governor Abba Yusuf until resigning in January 2026, after the governor defected to the APC.
Gwarzo, a former Deputy Governor of Kano, emerged as NDC’s flag bearer after talks with party leaders. Party officials said selecting Mustapha Kwankwaso reflects NDC’s commitment to unity, inclusiveness and effective representation as preparations for 2027 intensify.
Analysts say the Gwarzo-Mustapha ticket strengthens Kwankwasiyya’s hold on NDC following the movement’s split from NNPP earlier this year. With Governor Abba Yusuf now in APC, the new ticket is expected to consolidate Kwankwaso loyalists ahead of Kano’s 2027 governorship contest.
Critics, however, argue the party is sliding into a family affair, with the father positioning for VP and the son now on a gubernatorial ticket. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, political commentator @ossanaquest wrote: “NDC would have condemned APC if Seyi Tinubu was on the ballot,” questioning the party’s consistency on dynastic politics.
The election is scheduled for March 2027.
