Rabiu Kwankwaso has denied allegations that he is secretly supporting President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that his political camp is focused solely on the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Speaking during an interview on Global TV on Wednesday night, Kwankwaso dismissed the claims as false.

“I think only foolish people would believe that. We are not working for anybody. We are only working for NDC,” he said.

The former Kano governor was reacting to comments by Sanusi Bature, who alleged that Kwankwaso had been indirectly working for Tinubu since the 2023 elections and recently sought a meeting with the president.

Kwankwaso acknowledged his longstanding relationship with Tinubu but rejected suggestions of any political alliance.

 “Bola Tinubu has been my senior brother and good friend up till now. But that doesn’t mean we shall pull all our political ideologies together with him,” he said.

 “He is doing his own and I am doing my own.”

The former minister of defence also criticised the current administration, saying the president may not be fully aware of the country’s challenges because of those around him.

 “Normally under the current circumstances, the president may not see what is happening. And unfortunately, most of the people around him are actually the ones creating the problems,” Kwankwaso said.

He added that political actors within the ruling party were more concerned with securing governors than addressing governance issues.

Kwankwaso and Peter Obi joined the NDC on May 3 and have since been involved in discussions over a possible joint presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election.

According to Kwankwaso, the coalition settled on Obi after consultations across the six geo-political zones.

 “The party, in its own wisdom, decided to zone the presidential ticket to the south,” he said.

 “We looked around across the zones and we realised that Peter Obi is the best candidate.”

Asked about his political influence across northern Nigeria, Kwankwaso said the coalition still has time to build support before the next general election.

 “We are just in the field, working very hard,” he said.

“Those who are telling the lies, the lies will come out and people will also identify those who are telling the truth and are serious.”