Gov. Yusuf in secret meeting with Ganduje over defections, emirship tussle, deputy governor issue

The governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf and his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje, have reportedly held a closed-door meeting in Abuja aimed at addressing defections from their party, the lingering emirship dispute and the vacant deputy governorship position.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Ganduje met with President Bola Tinubu to brief him on political developments in Kano, particularly following the defection of former APC governorship candidate Nasiru Gawuna and concerns over additional defections.

Sources said Mr Ganduje expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as a lack of consultation by the presidency on Kano party matters, which he blamed for the growing crisis.

During the presidential meeting, Mr Tinubu was said to have proposed a ministerial appointment for Mr Gawuna, but Mr Ganduje noted that the move came too late, as the former deputy governor had already defected to the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

On the emirship tussle, Mr Ganduje backed Aminu Bayero’s claim to the throne, urging that the matter be resolved swiftly to prevent it from affecting political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections.

Regarding the deputy governorship vacancy, Mr Ganduje reportedly reiterated his position that Murtala Garo be considered for the role as part of efforts to maintain party cohesion.

Following the discussions, the president was said to have directed that both Messrs Yusuf and Ganduje meet to find common ground on the issues.

Inside Governor Yusuf’s meeting with Ganduje

Informed sources familiar with the outcome of the meeting told DAILY NIGERIAN that the governor arrived at Mr Ganduje’s Haile Selassie Street residence in Asokoro, Abuja around 1am on Wednesday.

The governor, who came alongside his son Al-Amin and his political strategist Mohammed Jamu, was ushered into the meeting by Mr Ganduje’s protocol officer, Adamu Unguwar Gini and a former presidential aide, Nasiru Ja’oji.

A federal lawmaker representing Bichi Constituency, Abubakar Bichi, later joined the meeting.

According to insiders, discussions centered on stemming a wave of defections shaking the party’s balance in Kano, as well as finding a solution to the protracted emirship tussle in the state. The dispute involves rival claims to the throne by Emirs Muhammadu Sanusi II and Aminu Bayero.

Mr Ganduje was said to have advised the governor to consider appointing Murtala Garo as deputy governor, a move Mr Ganduje reportedly argued could help stabilise the party, curb further defections and increase the party’s chances in 2027.

In his response, the governor requested time to make wider consultations before taking decisions on the matters.

The meeting reportedly ended around 2:40 a.m.