A senior figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulmumini Jibrin, has alleged that supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) are attempting to provoke tension and political unrest in Kano State as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
Jibrin’s allegation followed a series of incidents in which items associated with President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC were reportedly set ablaze. Among those affected were caps carrying the President’s signature as well as the party’s distinctive broom emblem.
The development subsequently triggered a retaliatory response from some APC supporters, who reportedly burned caps identified with the Kwankwansiya movement, a political group closely linked to Rabiu Kwankwaso, who is associated with the NDC ticket.
Speaking about the controversy, Jibrin, who represents a constituency in the House of Representatives, said he believed the incidents were not accidental but part of an attempt to heighten political tension in the state.
The lawmaker made the allegation while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday, where he discussed the growing political activities and tensions ahead of the next general elections.
Jibrin maintained that the NDC was already aware that it would face a difficult battle against the APC in Kano during the 2027 presidential contest. He specifically pointed to Kano South, describing the area as an important electoral territory capable of influencing the overall outcome of political contests in the state.
According to him, the opposition party allegedly understands that securing victory in the region would be extremely difficult. He argued that the electoral calculations in Kano South did not favour the NDC and suggested that this reality may have influenced the actions surrounding the burning of the political caps.
Jibrin further claimed that the incident occurred shortly before the official commencement of political campaigns, which, in his view, raised questions about the timing of the development.
He suggested that the burning of the APC-related items was intended to trigger an emotional reaction among supporters and potentially generate confrontation between rival political camps.
The APC chieftain warned that such actions could unnecessarily increase hostility among supporters and create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in Kano. He stressed that political disagreements should not be allowed to degenerate into violence or disorder.
Jibrin also said the APC would not allow itself to be drawn into a situation that could undermine peace in the state. While acknowledging the retaliatory action by some APC supporters, he indicated that his party should remain focused and avoid giving political provocateurs the opportunity to achieve their alleged objective.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining calm as the 2027 elections approach, particularly in a politically influential state such as Kano, where competition between major political groups is expected to intensify.
The lawmaker’s comments come amid increasing political realignments across the country as parties and politicians begin positioning themselves for the 2027 elections. Kano remains one of Nigeria’s most politically significant states, with its large electorate making it a major battleground during national elections.
Jibrin therefore urged political actors and their supporters to exercise restraint and avoid actions capable of escalating existing political disagreements. He maintained that the APC would continue its political activities without allowing provocative incidents to distract its members or disrupt the peace.
He reiterated that his party would not respond to alleged attempts to create confusion with actions that could further inflame tensions. Instead, he said, the APC would concentrate on its campaign and allow voters to determine the outcome of the election through the ballot box.
The controversy has further highlighted the increasingly competitive political environment in Kano ahead of the 2027 general elections, with rival parties expected to intensify their efforts to win support across the state.
