Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has declared an open political war on Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In a strongly worded video message that has gone viral across Nigerian social media platforms, Dokubo vowed to personally travel to Kano State to lead a grassroots campaign aimed at ensuring the people of the state reject Kwankwaso at the polls in the 2027 general elections. Dokubo, who has publicly declared his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, accused Kwankwaso of attempting to manipulate Muslim voters for political gain. “I will be at the forefront of campaigning against Rabiu Kwankwaso in the 2027 election. He thinks he can sell Muslims for kobo kobo,” Dokubo stated in the video clip. He expressed confidence that the political landscape in Kano has shifted significantly, insisting that the former governor, who served two terms leading Africa’s most populous northern state, is in for a major political surprise. “Kano will surprise you this time, but we are going to disappoint him,” Dokubo added, setting the stage for what could be a highly contentious and personal political battle in the region.
Dokubo’s fiery outburst appears to be a direct response to Kwankwaso’s recent political realignment. The former Kano governor had, just 24 hours earlier, released a video appeal calling on Nigerians, particularly the youth, to register with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and officially join the ADC. Kwankwaso formally joined the ADC in late March 2026, a move that consolidated a major coalition of opposition figures seeking to unseat President Tinubu. The ADC has quickly become a formidable opposition platform, attracting former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, among others. Dokubo, however, characterized Kwankwaso’s overture to northern voters as a deceptive attempt to exploit religious sentiments, alleging that the former governor was trying to “sell Muslims cheaply” for personal ambition. “He thinks he can sell Muslims for kobo kobo,” Dokubo repeated, using a local pidgin expression that implies a very low monetary value, to drive home his accusation that Kwankwaso is undervaluing the northern electorate.
The public feud underscores the increasingly aggressive and personalized nature of Nigerian political warfare as the 2027 election cycle heats up. Asari Dokubo, who once led a rebel movement in the oil-rich Niger Delta, has transitioned into a vocal political commentator and a staunch defender of the Tinubu administration. He has previously pledged his full support for the president’s re-election, citing Tinubu’s support for him during difficult times. By threatening to campaign directly in Kano, Dokubo is signaling his willingness to confront Kwankwaso on his home turf. The political stakes are exceptionally high. Kano is not only Nigeria’s most populous state but also a critical electoral bellwether; capturing its millions of votes is essential for any candidate with serious national ambitions. Kwankwaso, a renowned grassroots mobilizer with a massive following known as ‘Kwankwasiyya,’ has historically dominated the state’s political landscape.
Kwankwaso’s political camp has remained conspicuously silent in the immediate aftermath of Dokubo’s provocative statements. As of the time of compiling this report, neither the former governor nor his official spokespersons had issued a formal rebuttal to the allegations. This silence may be a strategic decision to avoid amplifying a rival’s rhetoric, or it could indicate a period of internal deliberation on how best to counter a challenge that targets the core of Kwankwaso’s political identity—his connection to the Muslim populace of Northern Nigeria. Political analysts note that ignoring the attack could be risky, as unaddressed accusations can sometimes gain traction, while engaging directly could elevate a political antagonist. The coming days will likely reveal the opposition’s counter-strategy as both camps prepare for what is shaping up to be a volatile political season.
Reactions across the Nigerian political spectrum have been swift and sharply divided. Supporters of President Tinubu, largely from the All Progressives Congress (APC), have praised Dokubo’s courage, viewing his pledge as a necessary check on a formidable opposition figure. However, critics have dismissed the former militant leader’s intervention as reckless and divisive. A prominent political commentator noted that threats to “stand at the forefront” in a region as complex as Kano could escalate political tensions and risk inflaming religious passions. Civil society organizations have also called on security agencies to monitor the situation closely, warning that inflammatory language by political actors could undermine public peace. As Dokubo finalizes his plans to head north, and as Kwankwaso prepares to defend his political stronghold, the battle for the soul of Kano State has officially begun, promising to be one of the most watched political dramas in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
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