Politics
Kano Emirates Saga: Audio Tape Shows Kwankwaso Plotting Ado Bayero’s Dethronement
The political power-play surrounding the fiasco of the Kano Emirates is beginning to unravel to indicate the individual gladiators.
It has come to the fore that a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso might hold the view the Emirates’ restructuring was part of his unfinished work in demonstration of political dominance.
This was revealed in a leaked telephone conversation, according PRNigeria, which reports that despite claims that Kwankwaso had no hand in the ongoing drama surrounding the Emirates, the former Kano State governor, might be involved, in no small way.
Recall that Kano State has been engulfed in uncertainties following the dissolution of the five Emirates and the subsequent return of Muhammadu Sanusi II as 16th Emir to replace Aminu Ado Bayero, purportedly deposed by the state government as the 15th Emir.
It was gathered that in the leaked phone conversation clip obtained by PRNigeria, a leading fact-check news platform, Kwankwaso got a call from an associate on the removal of Bayero and his replacement with Sanusi as the Kano Emir.
Recall that the Kano State House of Assembly recently repealed the law signed by ex-governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on the five new Emirates, paving the way for Governor Abba Yusuf to sack Bayero and bring back Sanusi.
While the governor’s political mentor, Kwankwaso, said in a BBC interview some days ago that he was not aware of Emir Bayero’s impending sack and Emir Sanusi’s return, a leaked phone conversation with a political associate suggests that the leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) may be the mastermind of the fiasco.
Stakeholders have not forgotten that shortly after Gov Yusuf won the election in 2023, Kwankwaso boasted that the new administration would revisit the new Emirates and Sanusi’s dethronement issues as installing justice in the state.
PRNigeria reports that in the leaked tape, Kwankwaso asks the caller if everything is going smoothly as planned on the replacement of Aminu with Sanusi, to which the latter answers in the affirmative.
It was reported that Kwankwaso also sought if Sanusi had taken over the main palace in Kano city.
It stated, “After obtaining the audio, the PRNigeria Factcheck team decided to subject it to an authenticity test using speech recognition freeware, which proved authentic.
“While Artificial Intelligence software like Deepfake can mimic any voice after a few seconds of listening to it, PRNigeria extracted the audio’s voice and compared it against Kwankwaso’s publicly known voice, and the result was also positive.
“Kwankwaso’s voice also returned with a 90% accuracy level when PRNigeria subjected the audio to the speech recognition test.
“While it is rare for calls to initiate recording on the dial, hackers and other sources using sophisticated gadgets can intercept the same calls.
“PRNigeria, therefore, subjected the audio to a deepfake test using a Deepware scanner, an AI tool used to detect alterations in audio and videos. It found that AI was not used to generate or modify the voices.”
According to PRNigeria, the conversation went thus:
Caller: Salamu Alaikum, Your Excellency, sir
Kwankwaso: Ameen, Ameen
Caller: Weldone sir
Kwankwaso: Ehen, thank you
Caller: Are we deciding on the planned gathering?
Kwankwaso: It has been postponed till Monday
Caller: Okay, let me inform them at the venue
Kwankwaso: Because of the current situation, it won’t be pleasant. It’s better to concentrate and entirely focus on the issue at hand first. By Monday, we do that other one.
Caller: My thoughts exactly
Kwankwaso: Is that our own Emir’s Palace filled with a crowd of people?
Caller: Yes, there are so many people
Kwankwaso: okay…I learned the other Emir had been taken to Nasarawa (Palace), right?
Caller: Yes, they took him to Nasarawa Palace, but the main Emir’s Palace has a lot of people.
Kwankwaso: Okay great
Caller: There are enough forces there
Kwankwaso: No problem
Caller: Many people have trooped out
Kwankwaso: That is great
Caller: Are you going to hold back a bit
Kwankwaso: Yes, I am around
Kwankwaso: Okay (Hails Kwankwaso?)
Politics
Political Bombshell: Kwankwaso’s Son Joins Kano Governorship Race
A major political development has emerged in Kano State ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with Hon. Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, son of former Kano State Governor Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, officially entering the race as the running mate to Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.
The announcement was disclosed on Monday by the spokesperson of the Kwankwassiya Movement, Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, who confirmed that Mustapha Kwankwaso had been selected as Gwarzo’s deputy governorship candidate for the upcoming election.
ALSO READ: NNPC Boosts Orthopaedic Healthcare, Donates MRI Equipment at Kano
“Hon. Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has been unveiled as the running mate to His Excellency Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo for the 2027 governorship election,” Mohammed stated.
Mustapha Kwankwaso, a businessman and politician, is widely recognized as one of the prominent figures within the Kwankwassiya political movement, a powerful political bloc founded by his father and known for its strong influence across Kano State.
His emergence on the NDC ticket is already generating discussions among political stakeholders, with many viewing the move as a strategic attempt to tap into the widespread support base associated with the Kwankwasiya movement.
Political observers believe the partnership between Gwarzo and Mustapha Kwankwaso could reshape the political dynamics in Kano as parties begin positioning themselves for what is expected to be a fiercely contested governorship election.
The development also signals the growing involvement of a new generation of political actors in Kano politics, while highlighting the enduring influence of the Kwankwaso political family in the state’s affairs.
With more than a year before campaigns fully gather momentum, the Gwarzo-Kwankwaso ticket is already attracting attention and could become one of the most closely watched political alliances in Kano ahead of the 2027 polls.
Politics
Mourinho Returns as Pérez Secures Landslide Victory in Real Madrid Election
Real Madrid president Real Madrid has confirmed the return of José Mourinho after incumbent president Florentino Pérez secured a landslide victory in the club’s presidential election, extending his rule until 2030.
Pérez won re-election with a commanding 65% of the vote, defeating challenger Enrique Riquelme, who secured 35%, according to the club’s Electoral Board.
The result reinforces Pérez’s long-standing leadership, which has now spanned more than two decades across two separate terms.
SEE ALSO: Bruno Lage Sacked As Benfica Move To Secure Mourinho
Speaking after his victory, Pérez described the outcome as a strong endorsement of his vision for the club’s future, insisting that Real Madrid will continue to thrive both on and off the pitch.
The president also used the moment to confirm a major sporting development—the return of José Mourinho, a move that immediately sparked excitement among supporters.
Mourinho, who previously enjoyed a successful spell at the club, is widely regarded as one of the most influential managers in modern football.
Pérez said the club remains committed to competing at the highest level in Europe, with ambitions of securing a record-extending 16th UEFA Champions League title while continuing the redevelopment of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
He also reaffirmed his stance on the club’s ownership model, stressing that Real Madrid will remain a member-owned institution despite growing global trends toward private ownership in football.
The announcement has been widely interpreted as the beginning of a new competitive era for the Spanish giants, with expectations rising among fans following both the election result and Mourinho’s return.
Pérez ended his address with a call for unity among supporters, including those who did not vote for him, promising to continue addressing concerns while focusing on sporting success.
Politics
2027: Oborevwori, Omo-Agege Trade Fresh Blows Over Tinubu, Obi Endorsements
The political rivalry between Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has escalated once again as both men exchanged heated words ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The confrontation follows renewed political realignments in Delta State, including Governor Oborevwori’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a party he previously defeated in the 2023 governorship election.
SEE ALSO: 2027: Tinubu Will Defeat Atiku If Election Is Rigged — Babachir
Oborevwori has since pledged full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, describing the President as his “number one project” and a key political ally whose victory would benefit Delta State.
However, Omo-Agege, who recently left the APC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), accused the governor of political fear and abandoning party structures in the state.
“He is not a threat” — Oborevwori
Responding to criticisms, Governor Oborevwori dismissed Omo-Agege’s political relevance, insisting he poses no electoral threat.
“He is not a threat because I’ve won him before,” the governor said, adding that many of the senator’s supporters had already left him before his exit from the APC.
Oborevwori also accused Omo-Agege of political betrayal, claiming he had previously turned against key figures who supported his rise.
“He betrayed James Ibori, he betrayed Great Ogboru, he betrayed O’tega Emerhor. So if he says he wants to betray me, he’s not a threat,” he stated.
“He panicked and ran into APC” — Omo-Agege
Omo-Agege fired back, alleging that the governor defected to the APC out of fear of losing political ground.
“The governor panicked, chickened out, and ran into the APC,” he said.
He insisted that his performance in the 2023 elections proved his continued strength in Delta politics, particularly in Delta Central.
“If Sheriff believed I was not a threat, why didn’t he stay back in the PDP and take me on in 2027?” he asked.
Governance and ₦3.15 trillion controversy
Both politicians also clashed over governance performance and state finances.
Oborevwori defended his administration, saying infrastructure development had improved across all local government areas, with contractors being paid promptly.
“First time in history, no contractor is being owed,” he said, citing ongoing projects such as Effurun Roundabout, DSC Roundabout, and PTI Junction.
Omo-Agege, however, described the administration as underperforming despite receiving over ₦3.15 trillion in three years.
He alleged that about ₦750 billion remained idle in the Central Bank of Nigeria while critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure suffer neglect.
Tinubu vs Obi political divide deepens
The rivalry has also taken a national dimension, with both politicians backing different presidential candidates for 2027.
Oborevwori declared support for President Tinubu, calling him Delta’s “in-law” and urging residents to back his re-election.
“Tinubu is my number one project,” he said.
Omo-Agege, on the other hand, declared his support for former presidential candidate Peter Obi, stating that he would contest under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
“My presidential candidate in 2027 is Peter Obi,” he said.
Political tensions rise ahead of 2027
Observers say the renewed exchange signals an early start to a high-stakes political battle in Delta State, with shifting alliances and competing loyalties likely to shape the 2027 elections.
With both camps firmly entrenched in opposing political directions, Delta State is expected to remain a major flashpoint in Nigeria’s unfolding political landscape.





