KANO, NIGERIA — A member of the House of Representatives, Abdulkadir Bichi, has launched a spirited defense of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, accusing critics of targeting the Kwankwasiyya leader simply to hijack his massive northern voter base.
In a scathing social media post on Sunday, Bichi, who represents the Bichi Federal Constituency, hit back at narratives portraying Kwankwaso as an “enemy of Arewa.” He argued that while other prominent former governors of Kano State, such as Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Ibrahim Shekarau, have aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Kwankwaso remains the primary target of political attacks due to his electoral strength.
The “1.5 Million Voters” Factor
Bichi claimed that the fixation on Kwankwaso stems from his control over a disciplined and organic voting bloc, particularly in Kano, which rival interests are desperate to control.
“Former Governors of Kano, Ganduje & Shekarau have all sided with our oppressors, T-Pain & APC. But you keep mentioning RMK as the enemy of Arewa simply because he’s the one with 1.5M+ voters you want to use,” Bichi wrote, using the “T-Pain” moniker—a popular social media slang referring to President Bola Tinubu amidst the current economic hardship.
Alignment with the “Third Force”
The lawmaker’s comments come at a time of significant political realignment in the North. Kwankwaso has recently moved his structure into the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), a new coalition alongside Peter Obi.
Bichi’s outburst reflects a growing sentiment among Kwankwasiyya loyalists that the APC is attempting to weaken Kwankwaso’s influence in the North to secure a smoother path for the 2027 elections. He further hinted that many other former governors across the North have “abandoned the interest of the people” to seek refuge and power within the ruling party.
Widening Northern Rift
The rift between Kwankwaso and other Kano heavyweights like Ganduje and Shekarau has deepened since the 2023 elections. While Ganduje currently serves as the National Chairman of the APC, Kwankwaso has positioned himself as the face of the northern opposition, a role that Bichi insists makes him a threat to the “establishment.”
As the 2027 race begins to take shape, the battle for the “Kano 1.5 million votes” is expected to be the centerpiece of northern political strategy.
