Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has urged Senator Abdul’aziz Yari to reconsider his decision to accept a role in President Bola Tinubu's 2027 campaign council.
Kwankwaso, the New Nigeria People's Party leader, made the appeal while reacting to Yari's appointment as a member of the Tinubu 2027 Presidential Campaign Council.
Yari, a former Zamfara State governor and serving senator, was recently listed among prominent political figures appointed to help coordinate Tinubu's campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Kwankwaso said he was surprised by Yari's decision and suggested that the senator should reconsider his involvement in the campaign.
The NNPP leader argued that political decisions should be based on principles and the interests of the people rather than personal political calculations.
He said he remained hopeful that Yari would review his position and make a decision that reflected his political history and relationship with the people of Zamfara.
Kwankwaso and Yari have both been prominent figures in northern Nigerian politics, although their political paths have increasingly diverged.
Yari has aligned himself with the ruling All Progressives Congress and is now involved in preparations for Tinubu's 2027 re-election campaign.
Kwankwaso, meanwhile, remains associated with the NNPP and has been mentioned among opposition figures positioning themselves ahead of the next presidential election.
The latest disagreement highlights the continuing realignment of political alliances ahead of 2027.
Several politicians who previously belonged to opposition parties have moved closer to the Tinubu administration, while opposition leaders continue efforts to build alternative political structures.
Kwankwaso's appeal to Yari comes amid wider discussions about the political future of the opposition and the possibility of major defections before the 2027 elections.
The NNPP leader has repeatedly advocated stronger opposition cooperation and criticised moves that could weaken alternative political platforms.
Yari's participation in the Tinubu campaign structure could therefore become significant in Zamfara and the wider northern political landscape.
The senator's influence and experience as a former governor make him a potentially important figure in the ruling party's efforts to consolidate support ahead of the election.
For Kwankwaso, however, Yari's decision remains one that he believes deserves reconsideration.
The development further demonstrates how political relationships and alliances are being reshaped as parties and politicians prepare for the 2027 presidential contest.