Alhaji Ilyasu Musa Kwankwaso, a three-time Kano State Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, has stated that the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the recent governorship election demonstrates that the belief in the power of incumbency is no longer a decisive factor in winning elections in Nigerian politics.
He further added that, based on the APC’s victory over the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which relied heavily on the incumbency factor, his party, the APC, would capture both Kano and Zamfara States in the 2027 governorship elections, as those states continue to hold erroneous beliefs in the power of incumbency.
Speaking in Kano on Monday, Kwankwaso emphasized that elections are won through careful calculation, forecasting, and strategy—not by making noise or relying on incumbency, a factor he said has lost relevance in modern politics.
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Referring to the recent victory of APC governorship candidate Mr. Monday Okpebholo over the PDP’s flagbearer, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, who was backed by the ruling party in Edo State, Kwankwaso declared that the era of incumbency as a winning factor in Nigerian politics is over.
He noted that while the PDP was busy making noise during its campaign, the APC was calculating, strategizing, and focusing on securing votes from its strongholds, which ultimately led to the party’s overwhelming victory in Edo State.
Kwankwaso praised the efforts of APC National Chairman, Alhaji (Dr.) Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and other notable party members, who campaigned tirelessly to convince the electorate to cast their votes for the APC.
This strategy, he said, enabled the party to secure large numbers of votes from Akoko Edo, Esan North, and East, which were pivotal in defeating the PDP.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his words of encouragement during the Edo State campaign and lauded the relentless efforts of Dr. Ganduje, who continuously reminded members not to be swayed by the notion of incumbency.
Kwankwaso disclosed that there are signs of confusion and fear among the ruling parties in Zamfara and Kano States, as the APC’s victory in Edo, despite the PDP’s incumbency, signals a potential threat to their survival in the 2027 elections.
He urged APC members, including the President, the National Chairman, and other stakeholders, to preserve the winning strategy from Edo in order to capture Kano and Zamfara in 2027, emphasizing the importance of prayers in achieving this goal.
On the issue of national security, Kwankwaso praised the progress made in ensuring the security of lives and property, particularly in the North West.
He commended the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for staying focused and undistracted by the various campaigns of calumny against them.
He expressed confidence that the ongoing efforts to bring peace to the country, especially in the North West, would continue to succeed.
Kwankwaso called on all Nigerians to avoid divisive politics and to provide the necessary information to security agencies to thwart the plans of those working against the nation’s progress.
He prayed that, by the grace of Almighty God, the issue of insecurity plaguing the country, particularly in the North, would soon be a thing of the past.
