Why Kwankwaso Will Not Align with APC – Buba Galadima Explains

The political atmosphere in Nigeria was stirred on Monday when Buba Galadima, a prominent chieftain of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), explained why his party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, would not join forces with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Galadima accused the federal government of complicating the traditional leadership structure in Kano State by supporting the existence of two rival emirs in the ancient city. According to him, this crisis is a deliberate act that undermines the authority of the NNPP-led Kano State government and, by extension, the people of Kano.

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The Emirship Controversy in Kano

Galadima lamented that the tussle over the Kano Emirate had been worsened by federal interference, creating a situation where two monarchs exist simultaneously—one recognized by the state government and the other allegedly backed by the federal authorities.

He explained:
“Why can’t we Nigerians look at issues dispassionately? How can Kwankwaso be a friend of the APC with what they are doing to us in Kano? They appointed two emirs in one town. There is a federal government emir, and there is a state emir. Who has got the responsibility to appoint the emir and pay them their salary?”

The NNPP stalwart went further to accuse the federal government of using security agencies to reinforce its preferred monarch. “The federal government has their emir. They have not less than 40 pickup trucks filled with mobile police guarding their own emir,” he alleged.

Federal vs. State Authority

The controversy reflects a deeper clash between federal and state authority in Nigeria. Under the constitution, matters of chieftaincy and traditional institutions are considered state responsibilities. Governors typically hold the power to appoint or remove traditional rulers within their jurisdiction.

However, Galadima argued that the federal government’s involvement in Kano undermines this principle. He described the situation as evidence that the APC-led government is bent on destabilizing the NNPP’s stronghold.

“It’s a federal government appointee because it’s the Federal High Court that has ruled halfway to suggest so. I’m not making an accusation. I’m making a statement,” he stressed, insisting that the judiciary’s role in the crisis has further complicated the matter.

Why Kwankwaso Will Not Align with APC

The NNPP chieftain used the emirship tussle as a central reason why Kwankwaso cannot and will not consider working with the ruling APC. To him, the alleged meddling in Kano is not just an attack on traditional institutions but also an attack on the political will of the people who elected the NNPP government in the state.

For Galadima, any talk of alliance between Kwankwaso and the APC under such conditions is unrealistic. “With this kind of treatment, how can anyone expect us to collaborate with those who are undermining our state and our people?” he asked rhetorically.

The Politics Behind the Emirship

The emirship issue in Kano is not just about culture and tradition—it has heavy political undertones. Analysts observe that Kano is a key battleground in Nigeria’s politics, with its large population and electoral weight making it crucial for any presidential contest.

Kwankwaso, a two-time governor of Kano State, retains massive grassroots support, and his party currently governs the state. The battle over who controls the revered Kano Emirate is, therefore, seen as part of the broader struggle for influence ahead of 2027.

By accusing the APC of propping up a rival emir, Galadima is essentially positioning the crisis as a political strategy aimed at weakening the NNPP’s control of Kano and diminishing Kwankwaso’s influence.

Wider Implications

The stalemate in Kano raises concerns about governance, peace, and stability. With two claimants to the throne, traditional institutions in the state face unprecedented strain. The security implications are equally troubling, as large police deployments to protect one of the emirs suggest tensions that could spill into wider unrest if not carefully managed.

Critics argue that the federal government’s involvement, whether real or perceived, sets a dangerous precedent that could embolden future political meddling in other states’ traditional affairs. On the other hand, supporters of the federal stance claim that the judiciary has a duty to interpret disputes and that federal security forces are deployed to prevent violence.

Buba Galadima’s remarks on Channels TV shed light on why the NNPP remains unwilling to consider any partnership with the ruling APC. For him and his party, the emirship crisis in Kano is more than a cultural dispute—it is a political confrontation that directly challenges the NNPP’s legitimacy and Kwankwaso’s leadership.

By alleging that the APC administration has “appointed two emirs” and continues to use federal power to back one side, Galadima framed the matter as a violation of state authority and a symbol of political bad faith.

As the controversy deepens, the battle for the Kano Emirate will likely remain a defining factor in the relationship between the APC and the NNPP. For now, however, Galadima’s message is clear: under these circumstances, Kwankwaso and his party will not join hands with the ruling party.