The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State may lose some of its prominent members as loyalists of its Kano Central senatorial candidate, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, plan to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The development emerged on Tuesday night after members of Gawuna’s political team paid a solidarity visit to Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, and his deputy, Murtala Garo, as part of consultations ahead of their planned return to the APC.
Gawuna, a former Kano State Deputy Governor during the administration of Abdullahi Ganduje, was the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 election.
He lost to Yusuf, who contested under the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, before the result was challenged in court.
The delegation was led by a close ally of Gawuna, Muhammad Umar, and included the NDC Vice Chairman in Kano State, Ali Yako; Mansur Gawuna; and Uba Mijinyawa, also known as Uba Danzainab, as well as other prominent members of the team.
Others on the delegation were Aminu Faruk, Sani Jibrin, Salisu Muhammad, Musa Indabo, Muhammad Bala, Hassan Abdullahi and Abdurrahman Muhammad.
The visit was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa.
Speaking during the visit, Umar, who led the delegation, said their decision to engage Yusuf and Garo was motivated by their desire to see Kano make further progress.
“We are here because of our passion for the development and progress of Kano State. Our interest is in anything that will move Kano forward and improve the lives of its people,” Umar said.
He said the delegation’s consultations with the state leadership were intended to create an avenue for them to contribute to the development of Kano.
“Our consultations are aimed at engaging the leadership of the state and contributing our own quota to the development of Kano. We believe that by working together, we can support initiatives that will benefit the people of the state,” Umar said.
Umar further stressed that the group remained committed to supporting programmes and policies capable of advancing the interests of Kano residents.
“We are committed to supporting anything that will bring development and progress to Kano State. What matters to us is the advancement of Kano and the wellbeing of its people,” he said.
Also speaking, Ali Datti Yako, the NDC Vice Chairman in Kano State, expressed support for the Yusuf administration, saying its performance was visible to residents across the state.
“Everyone knows that Governor Yusuf is working tirelessly to transform Kano State. His efforts towards transforming the state are visible, and the people of Kano are aware of what his administration is doing,” Yako said.
Yako said the delegation’s visit was also intended to demonstrate its solidarity with Yusuf and Garo and support efforts directed at the development of the state.
“We are here to express our solidarity with the governor and his deputy and to support the progress being made in Kano. We believe in initiatives that will bring development and progress to our people,” he said.
The delegation expressed solidarity with Yusuf and Garo and reaffirmed its interest in supporting initiatives aimed at advancing the state.
The anticipated defection comes amid renewed political realignments in Kano ahead of the 2027 general elections, with politicians and their supporters reassessing their affiliations and alliances.
The development could further alter the political balance in Kano, particularly as the APC seeks to consolidate its structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
Gawuna’s move into the NDC followed his emergence as the party’s candidate for Kano Central, making the reported movement of members of his political team to the APC a potentially significant development ahead of the 2027 elections.
