Kwankwaso’s Daughter Wedding: A Re-marriage of Political Heavyweights Beneath the Veil of Matrimony
Kano, a city known for its rich cultural heritage, last Saturday was focal point of national and political attention, with glamour, class, aesthetics, pomp and pageantry.
The occasion? The wedding of the daughter of Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). What seemed at first like a simple matrimonial event evolved into something far more significant, out-competing the boundaries of mere celebration and matrimony.
It was a gathering of Nigeria’s political elite, a spectacle where glamour, class, and political intrigues coalesced, leaving the city abuzz with more than just wedding bells.
Manifestly, on the surface, the ceremony appeared to be a routine affair. A union between two individuals, marked by traditional rites and festivities.
In fact, the wedding proceedings were conducted by the Chief Imam of Kano, Prof. Sani Zaharaddeen. Shettima, who stood in for the groom, gave out the dowry of N1 million to Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf of Kano who represented the bride at the occasion.
However, the presence of Nigeria’s top political heavyweights made it evident that this was no ordinary wedding. The guest list read like a who’s who of Nigerian politics, an ensemble of powerful figures with varying degrees of influence and political ambitions.
The event was graced by Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
In fact, former president, Olusegun Obasanjo was seen donning Kwankwaso’s trademark red Kwankwasiyya cap during the event, that was days after hitting hard on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration awful performances.
Coincidentally, recall that Kwankwaso was also recently quoted to have accused “Lagos” of trying to “colonize” the North. So, these shouldn’t be ruled out as parts of the larger political strategies ahead of 2027.
What’s really going on in Nigeria’s political landscape that we don’t know about? Could it be that former President Olusegun Obasanjo, along with other past leaders like Abubakar Abdulsalam, T.Y. Danjuma, and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, during their recent meeting in Minna, have decided to back Kwankwaso as the candidate to challenge Tinubu for the presidency in 2027, given the current dire state of the country?
Also present were a slew of former governors, including Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna), Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari (Zamfara), Abdul Ahmed Ningi, and Adamu Aliero (Kebbi). Other notable attendees were former governors Lucky Igbinedion, Mahamud Shinkafi, Isah Yuguda, Victor Attah, and Achike Udenwa.
High-profile ministers such as the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, and the Minister of Steel, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar, were also in attendance, as was former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu.
The presence of so many political leaders and figures of such significance turned what could have been a purely personal event into an arena for political maneuvering.
Beyond the lavish spread of food and the stunning traditional attire, beneath the surface, the gathering revealed a palpable sense of political calculations. It was a sight to behold as members of national and state assemblies, captains of industries, and diplomats mingled with each other in a celebration that felt as much about future alliances as it was about the union of two families.
Read Also:
Despite the seemingly joyous occasion, the convergence of such powerful personalities hinted at a far more complex reality. As political figures from across the nation came together, one could not help but speculate about the undercurrents of the gathering.
The event had all the hallmarks of a subtle power play, with those who felt aggrieved by the current administration of President Bola Tinubu possibly looking to strategize and consolidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
For many of the attendees, especially those from opposition camps, the wedding was an opportunity to network, forge alliances, and perhaps even lay the groundwork for the next political battle. It was a moment to put aside tribal and religious difference, after all, as the saying goes, “religion is the opium of the masses” and not for the political elites.
In the corridors of power, these differences often fade in the face of shared political interests, and it was evident on that Saturday that the political class is more united by ambition than by any doctrinal divides.
The gathering also brought together a stunning display of unity in diversity. Despite Nigeria’s complex and often fractious socio-political landscape, the event proved that in the eyes of the political elite, the common cause of power transcends regional, tribal, and religious barriers.
There was a sense of camaraderie among these influential figures, some of whom have found themselves on opposing sides of the political divide in recent years. Yet, in this setting, the shared goal of influencing the direction of the nation seemed to outweigh any personal or partisan animosities.
For many observers, the presence of these political giants,many of whom are potential contenders for the 2027 presidency, such as the bride’s father, Kwankwaso who contested for presidency in the last election, and former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, was a clear indication that they were already positioning themselves for the next political contest.
Whether overtly or covertly, these seasoned political figures were likely exchanging ideas, consolidating support, and perhaps even discussing a common strategy for a future that may not include the ruling administration.
It’s not hard to see how the wedding could become a significant chapter in Nigeria’s political history. The event had all the trappings of a prelude to the looming 2027 election cycle, where factions from the opposition, perhaps even splinter groups within the ruling party, could coalesce to challenge the current administration.
After all, such gatherings are often where the seeds of future political movements are planted, especially considering the underwhelming performances of the current administration.
What was supposed to be a celebration of love and unity ultimately mirrored the political landscape of Nigeria itself; complex, strategic, and always on the brink of change.
Kano, a city with renowned for rich history, had once again become a stage for the grand theater of Nigerian politics.
Only time will tell what alliances were forged, what promises were made, and how the echoes of this matrimonial event reverberate through the halls of power in the years to come.
2027 beckons, expectations are high, cross-capetings are expected, intrigues, dramas and betrayals are unexpected, and above all, alliances and fence-mending are equally not ruled out.
May God spare our lives beyond then to see what the country’s political gladiators have up their sleeves to unfurl.
Ozumi Abdul is a journalist, writer, columnist and PR consultant. He can be reached via [email protected]
