In the political theatre of Nigeria’s North-West, where allegiances shift like desert winds and influence is measured by the depth of grassroots penetration, Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, has emerged as a central architect in the ongoing consolidation of support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s anticipated re-election bid in 2027.
In the words of an old political proverb, “When the river is strong, even dry leaves gather strength to float” and Matawalle’s political engagements in Kano appear to be shaping a renewed wave of mobilisation within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kano State, long regarded as the political heartbeat of Northern Nigeria and a decisive electoral stronghold, has once again become the focal point of strategic political recalibration.
Dr. Matawalle’s recent visit to the state was not a mere ceremonial appearance, but a calculated and deliberate exercise in political engineering anchored on reconciliation, persuasion, and reinforcement of party structures.
Observers note that in politics, “a house divided against itself cannot withstand the storm of election day”, and it is within this context that his interventions are being situated.
His engagements come at a critical moment following subtle but significant shifts within the state’s political configuration, particularly in the aftermath of developments surrounding prominent figures such as former governorship candidate Dr. Nasir Yusuf Gawuna.
In a political landscape where loyalty is often tested by ambition and circumstance, Kano remains, as many analysts describe it, “a bride every party seeks, but few can fully hold”. Matawalle’s mission, therefore, is widely interpreted as an attempt to stabilize internal cohesion and ensure that the APC speaks with one voice as the 2027 elections draw nearer.
At the grassroots level, Dr. Matawalle has reportedly intensified a multi-layered mobilisation strategy that blends financial facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and empowerment-driven outreach.
These interventions, according to political observers, are aimed at strengthening the party’s visibility and influence across wards and local government structures. As the Hausa adage goes, “Idan ƙasa ta ginu da goyon baya, iska ba ta iya rushe ta”.when a foundation is built on collective support, even the fiercest winds cannot bring it down.
In furtherance of this approach, the Minister was recently associated with empowerment efforts involving political mobilisers such as Aminu Warkal, whose activities align with broader APC objectives of deepening voter engagement and sustaining loyalty at the community level.
Such interventions are increasingly being viewed as part of a larger political arithmetic designed to ensure that no electoral stronghold is left unattended or politically dormant.
Perhaps more significantly, Matawalle’s outreach has also been linked to a series of political reconciliations and realignments within Kano’s fluid political space. One notable development is the reported return of London, who had earlier distanced herself from the APC structure, but is now said to have rejoined the party fold following sustained engagement and reconciliation efforts.
In political wisdom, “a broken calabash, if carefully mended, can still carry water”.a metaphor that appears fitting in describing such reintegration efforts.
In another notable political development, Dan Baban Gawuna, previously aligned with a different political direction associated with Dr. Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, was recently observed during a visit to Kano in the company of Aminu Kilishi. The delegation reportedly held consultations with Minister Matawalle, where discussions centered on unity, strategic alignment, and renewed commitment toward mobilising electoral support for President Tinubu.
This gathering, in the eyes of political analysts, reflects the enduring reality that “in politics, the tide may separate the fishermen, but the ocean eventually brings them back to shared shores.”
Across the North-West, particularly in Kano, Matawalle’s growing political footprint is increasingly being interpreted as part of a broader APC strategy aimed at consolidation rather than confrontation, reconciliation rather than fragmentation, and mobilisation rather than complacency. His approach is widely described as pragmatic anchored on the understanding that electoral victory is not merely declared, but diligently constructed through sustained engagement and trust-building.
As the 2027 general elections approach, political watchers argue that the stakes are becoming increasingly defined by structure, loyalty, and grassroots command. Within this framework, Dr. Bello Matawalle’s activities in Kano are seen as a critical pillar in the APC’s long-term electoral calculus for President Tinubu. Indeed, as another proverb wisely notes, “He who gathers the people early, wins the marketplace before the market opens.”
In essence, Kano remains both a battleground and a bellwether where political fortunes are tested, alliances are forged, and legacies are shaped. And in this unfolding political narrative, Minister Matawalle’s sustained engagement stands as a defining thread in APC’s broader ambition to secure continuity at the centre through unity, strategy and unwavering grassroots mobilisation.
