A Kano-based political analyst, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, popularly known as Abba Gwale, has raised concerns over the quality of emerging political leaders in the state.

While raising the concern on his Facebook page on Tuesday night, Ibrahim lamented that the current political system is producing loyalists rather than competent leaders.

He was reacting to the recent announcement by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), which named Mustapha Kwankwaso as the running mate to its governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.

According to him, the trend of selecting leaders based on loyalty and political convenience, rather than competence and integrity, poses a serious risk to the future of Kano State.

“Barring any major changes in the next couple of years, the future generation of political leadership in Kano does not look promising,” he wrote.

He stressed that political leaders must begin to prioritise the long-term development of the state over personal or group interests when making key decisions.

Gwale noted that those currently close to power are most likely to emerge as future governors, deputy governors, and key office holders, raising concerns about the criteria used in their selection.

“The choice of a deputy governor should not be based solely on loyalty, political appeal, or the willingness to serve as a stooge. Competence, integrity, and moral character should also be key considerations,” he added.

The analyst said his assessment of politicians across different political blocs in the state shows a worrying gap in leadership capacity.

“I have looked at politicians from both blocs and I do not see many competent individuals. I do not see future leaders who can drive our state to the next level,” he said.

“Instead, I see people who are mainly effective at delivering election results or maintaining political structures,” Gwale stated.

While acknowledging that an unexpected candidate could still emerge and change the narrative, he maintained that, for now, the outlook remains bleak.

“Someone may emerge unexpectedly and change the narrative, but for now, the future does not appear bright,” he said.

Recall that on Monday, the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 elections and former Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo, announced Mustapha Kwankwaso as his running mate.

Mustapha Kwankwaso, who previously served as Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, is the son of former Kano State Governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has deployed CP Abayomi Shogunle to Ekiti State as the Commissioner of Police for the Ekiti State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026.

This was contained in a statement signed and made available to journalists by the Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State Police Command, SP Sunday Abutu.

The statement continued: “The deployment is in line with the policing operational strategic measures approved by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, aimed at providing adequate security and ensuring a peaceful and violence-free election in the state.

“Upon assumption of duty, CP Shogunle immediately strengthened the implementation of the IGP’s enforcement protocols towards ensuring adequate provision of security and robust collaboration with sister security agencies and election stakeholders.

“These include intelligence mapping to neutralise political violence, anti-thuggery and anti-cult-related activities, counter-misinformation campaigns/initiatives, and robust planning for the secure movement of electoral materials and staff/persons engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“As part of the comprehensive security arrangements, the Command has emplaced a centralised operational framework to coordinate rapid response.

“This includes joint deployment of security personnel under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to adequately secure all polling units, collation centres, designated facilities for the election, voters, electoral workers, observers/monitors, journalists and critical infrastructure across the state.

“The Commissioner of Police further states that adequate security personnel are being strategically deployed to all identified flashpoints across the state to forestall any breach of peace and ensure a hitch-free electoral process.

“He also assures that police officers deployed for the election have been adequately briefed to ensure professional conduct and will be strictly guided by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act.

“CP Shogunle calls on all political stakeholders, community leaders and the good people of Ekiti State to cooperate with security agencies to ensure a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the election.

“The Ekiti State Police Command assures all residents of its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property and the successful conduct of a free, fair and credible election.

“Dr Shogunle, a fellow of the Security Institute, will apply his proven expertise in strategic security operations planning and election security management in ensuring a hitch-free election in Ekiti State.

“As the Commissioner of Police for the Anambra State election, he led the election security operation for the peaceful November 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election.

“Members of the public are encouraged to remain law-abiding and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police formation or via the Command’s emergency line: 08062335577.”

The Social Democratic Party, SDP, presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu can produce his own votes by himself.

Fielding questions in an interview on ‘Politics Hub’, a programme on Vanguard, Adebayo described Tinubu as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

He was speaking on the forthcoming 2027 general elections and the level of SDP’s preparation towards the polls.

He said, “Since the last election, we continue to visit people wherever they are because Tinubu can produce his own votes because he’s the INEC chairman himself.

“We need to go back to our people the same way our leaders in the first Republic did. You needed to see Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello and Nnamdi Azikiwe. When these people went for campaign, dust covered covered their bodies.

“I do everything to cover everywhere in Nigeria. I know the deficiency. I know where people are, and I know that you need to go and meet the them where they are.”