Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the upcoming 2027 elections, has declared that three notable politicians from Kano State have lost their political relevance. This assertion was made during an interview on August 16, 2026, where he addressed the fallout with former allies who have since turned into rivals.

Kwankwaso specifically named former Kano governors Ibrahim Shekarau and Abdullahi Ganduje, along with the current governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, as individuals whose political careers are now in jeopardy. He emphasized that their departure from his political camp has led to their decline in influence within the state.

In the interview, conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Kwankwaso reflected on the consequences of political betrayal, stating, "You cannot succeed with treachery. I have not seen one." He pointed to his extensive political experience in Kano, which spans over two decades, as the basis for his claims about the inevitable downfall of those who betray their political allies.

Kwankwaso reserved particularly harsh criticism for Ganduje, who was once his deputy governor before succeeding him in 2015. He remarked on Ganduje's political collapse, attributing it to his defiance against the political structure that initially supported him. "If you can even see the issue of Ganduje, who we came together and supported, and became governor free of charge. The day when he started fighting was the beginning of his problem. If I may ask: where is he now? It is difficult to see him," Kwankwaso stated.

Turning his attention to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Kwankwaso noted that Yusuf was selected by his political camp in 2019 to prevent a repeat of Ganduje's betrayal. However, he lamented that Yusuf has distanced himself from those who helped him secure the governorship in 2023. "He left us, but he is not with Ganduje now. He is in-between because I don't think he is happy for anybody to call him Dan Gandujiyya," Kwankwaso said, highlighting the political complications arising from Yusuf's associations.

During the interview, Kwankwaso also recounted a conversation with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who suggested that he reconcile with Ganduje. Kwankwaso, however, pointed out the fate of politicians close to Tinubu who have since faded from the political scene, such as former Lagos Deputy Governor Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele and former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, to illustrate his point about the risks of political alliances.

In closing, Kwankwaso emphasized the rarity of lasting political friendships, mentioning former Osun Governor Bisi Akande as one of the few he still considers a genuine ally. The political landscape in Kano continues to shift as these former allies navigate their new realities, with Kwankwaso firmly asserting his stance against betrayal in politics.