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APC Crises : Gov. Ganduje backs Danzago as battle for governorship gathers Momentum

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Alhaji Ahmad Haruna Zago

 

The All Progressives Congress in Kano will face a serious internal crisis ahead of the state congress of the party that’s coming in few months.

This is coming after the National Caretaker Extra-ordinary Committee of the party led by governor Mai Mala Buni plans to conduct Congress for party executives at states and zonal level.

In Kano, the state party chairman Abdullahi Abbas who is in his second term at helm of the party’s affairs, he came in since the beginning of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s first term and got reelected for a second term until when the Caretaker Committee of the party decided to dissolve all state chapters last year.

It’s clear that the battle for the state Chairmanship of the party will plunge it to a serious crisis as some aspirants have indicated interest for the seat.

Among them is Ahmadu Haruna Zago, a former chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change in Kano.

His posters and campaign billboards are all over strategic location in the state, he is seen closely to the governor and in all party functions.

According to some analysts, Danzago has the blessing of the governor which led some stakeholders of the party to wake up against his aspiration.

Not Danzago alone, others that have interest to contest for the position but have not make it public are Bala Muhammad Gwagwarwa, a former National Treasurer of APC and Murtala Alhassan Zainawa, a chieftain of the party in the state.

Top party men close to the governor revealed that he will support Danzago who has been in consultation with party stakeholders across the state.

This development may not mean well for the incumbent chairman Abdullahi Abbas who is in the same camp with Murtala Sule Garo, a Commissioner for local government in Kano.

Garo and Abdullahi Abbas are said to be supporting the governorship aspiration of the Deputy Governor Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna. They are seeing Danzago as a threat to their candidate.

It’s said that the governor is against such move by Abbas and Garo but secretly supporting the Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation Sen. Barau I Jibrin in his governorship aspiration.

Kano To Prosecute Owners Of Filling Stations With No Firefighting Equipments

Though, Barau is enjoying the support of the governor secretly, that does not hold water for him as the state first lady Hafsat Ganduje popularly known as Goggo is backing Abbas and Garo who are at the forefront of Gawuna’s aspiration.

The duo are yet to bring their candidate for party Chairmanship against Danzago.

This paper reliably gathered that the camp of the Deputy Governor led by Abbas and Garo will not support Gwagwarwa or Abdullahi Abbas as the both cannot be controlled by them looking at their political experience.

Battle for Governorship

So far the party has the highest number of aspirants for the number one seat in Kano. So many aspirants have indicated interest with their posters all over the city of kano wishing people a Happy Sallah during the eidl fitr festivities.

Among them are Sen. Barau I Jibrin who has the support of the governor secretly according to insiders. He’s a two term Senator and former member of the House of Representatives. He chairs the senate Committee on Appropriation and is seen as one of the top aspirants with experience and resources to battle for the hot seat.

Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna

He is a former Chairman of Nassarawa Local Government and his performance in that position was very poor. He served as Commissioner for Agriculture between 2013-2015 and 2015-2018 where he was appointed as Deputy Governor of Kano by Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje following the resignation of Prof. Hafiz Abubakar as Deputy Governor.

He holds a Degree in Biochemistry from Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto. He is very diplomatic in politics and ambitious. He’s the backing of majority APC stakeholders with the Ganduje family who have a critical role on who the governorship ticket should go to.

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Hafsat Ganduje, the governor’s wife is supporting Gawuna for the race to which some analysts saw as a win win for him.

But in terms of competence and track record, Gawuna is very poor and will not make a good governor for Kano.

“He’s yet to bring his ambition out and Kano needs someone that’s very radical to attend to the mess Ganduje has plunged the state to” Mallam Sani Saidu, a lecturer with the Department of English in BUK said.

In terms of resources, Gawuna cannot come out victorious while the likes of Barau and Waya are in the race.

Inuwa Waya

Though he is yet to resign from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation but Waya is very serious in the race looking at how he is making consultations within the party. It’s said that the governor gave Inuwa Waya the go ahead of moving with his campaign touches and has assured him of his maximum support. A move that some people saw as playing with the intelligence of Waya by the governor.

Inuwa, a lawyer was the Director in charge of legal services of the NNPC before he was moved to another directorate recently.

“Ganduje is not reliable as he speaks from the both sides of his mouth; he may show you that he is with you today and another person the following day”. A source within the party said.

Muazu Magaji

A reputable Engineer that was trained at Bayero University, Kano and Robert Gordon in the UK, Muazu has a very rich CV and Blueprint to lead the Centre of Commerce.

Tagged with Win Win, he served as Senior Special Assistant Projects to former governor Kwankwaso and Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure under Ganduje until last year when the governor sacked him for making a derogatory comment over the death of Mallam Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

He has worked in the oil sector before he ventured into politics. His commitment amd workaholic zeal as Commissioner for works in Kano proved that he means business.

Some people say, Muazu has all it takes but he’s lacking in the moral and character to lead a state like Kano.

Shaaban Ibrahim Sharada

A former radio broadcaster with Freedom Radio in Kano until in 2015 when he was appointed Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Broadcast Media, a position which he served between 2015 to 2019 when he resign to contest for the membership of House of Representatives.

Sharada is very dogged and committed to the cause he is pursuing for. He is a graduate of Mass Communication in BUK and holds an MBA from the UK.

His series of empowerment and face off with Ganduje on policies affecting the masses has earned him respect in the eyes of the people.

Despite being a member of the House of Representatives under APC, Sharada didn’t hesitate to speak the truth to power.

He currently chairs the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence.

Ismaeel Buba Ahmed

He’s the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Social Investment Program and member of the APC Extraordinary Convention Caretaker Committee led by Mai Mala Buni.

Ismaeel is a party man, so eloquent and blunt, he has all it takes to lead the commercial hub.

He read law at the University of Abuja and an LLM from USA.

He contested for the membership of House of Representatives under the defunct CPC and won until when a High Court in Kano declared Nassir Ali Ahmed as the winner not him.

Like Sharada, Ahmed is at loggerhead with Governor Ganduje unlike other aspirants.

Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado

He’s the Chairman of Kano Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, his track record for modernising a state anti corruption agency to standard has earned him a lot of respect.

He’s a favorite of the governor but looking at the political heavyweight of some of the aspirants and resources, that will not favour Magaji in the race.

A law graduate from Bayero University in Kano, Magaji is the best Anti-Corruption czar in the country.

If track record is a yardstick for giving governorship ticket, then Magaji should be considered.

He was a former Vice Chairman of Rimingado Local Government before he later founded Grassroots Anti-Corruption Awareness Network Initiative, a civil society organisation that sue the government of Ibrahim Shekarau over appointment of Caretaker Committee in local governments of Kano.

A case that he won and led to Interm Management Officers in Local Governments of Kano.

Kabiru Alhassan Rurum

A former Councillor in Lagos, he was the Speaker of Kano State House of Assembly that recommended the dethronement of Muhammadu Sanusi as Emir of Kano.

Rurum is a grassroots mobilizer, he is enjoying the support of APC stakeholders in Kano South who are of the opinion that power should be rotated to their zone this time.

Analysts are seeing Rurum as a mere politician with no Blueprint or capacity to lead a state like Kano.

With the touches he is making within the party, he may suprise all.

Politics

From Grassroots To NASS:Hon Haruna Kabiru Wakili Answers Fagge’s 2027 Call

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The people of Fagge Local Government Area have praised the efforts, patriotism, and support shown by one of the area’s young men across different aspects of life, despite not holding any political office.

Hon. Kabiru Haruna Wakili has become prominent in Fagge for his service to the community. He is a politician who builds youth development from the grassroots by supporting self-reliance skills and access to education.

Because of his drive and passion to keep supporting the people, the community in Fagge is backing his political journey. They believe that if given the opportunity, he will further develop the area.

Wakili is well known in the political struggle. He has stood on his own, once led a political party, and contested for the House of Representatives in the last election.

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Hon. Kabiru Haruna Wakili is now a member of the APC. He has a strong relationship and good rapport with politicians and the wider community in Fagge, right from the grassroots. That is why, as the 2027 elections approach, many believe he deserves their support.

Youths and elders, men and women in Fagge are urging APC delegates in the primaries to field credible people who stand with the community. They have strong confidence in Hon. Wakili for this election season.

The people of Fagge say Hon. Kabiru Haruna Wakili is with them and involved in their affairs. They believe that if he gets the mandate, he will not distance himself from them, unlike some past representatives who often ignored the needs of their constituents.

Following repeated calls from the people of Fagge, Hon. Haruna Kabiru Wakili has responded that, by God’s grace, he will contest for the House of Representatives under the APC.

He appealed to party members, elders, leaders, and executives of the APC in Fagge, both men and women, to give him their cooperation and support to secure victory.

Hon. Wakili also called on party stakeholders to confirm him as the consensus candidate, since it was the people of Fagge who asked him to run.

He added that even if it comes to a primary election, he is confident the people of Fagge will back him to clinch the APC ticket, and in the 2027 general election they will turn out to vote for him.

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How Abdurrahman Mainasara Salga Built ADC Into A Political Force In Dala

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There are many people with noble intentions who genuinely desire the progress of society. Every day, they strive to serve and support their communities in various aspects of life with their personal resources, without holding any official position or title.

This is driven by patriotism, compassion, and the desire to see people especially the less privileged and upcoming youth — live a life of ease without hardship.

Many people can attest to the kind of community support and development efforts carried out by some individuals.

Ambassador Abdulrahman Mansur Mainasara Salga is one of the well-known figures in Dala Local Government Area and Kano State at large, recognized for his good character, generosity, and commitment to community development.

Because of his generosity and kindness to the people, many have encouraged him to join politics. They believe it would give him more confidence and opportunity to advance his goal of continuing to support the public. This is what motivated him to venture into politics.

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He is a politician who believes in doing what is right. That is why he advocates for everything to be placed on the path of truth and justice. In the 2023 elections, he contested for the Federal House of Representatives seat in Dala Local Government. It is well known how he stood firm in ensuring fairness and justice within the party under which he contested, especially during the primary elections.

Everyone knows that Amb. Abdulrahman Mainasara has been at the forefront of serving the ADC since he joined. He made the party gain acceptance in Dala Local Government Area long before other political heavyweights in Kano joined the party, which has now become the major opposition party in the country.

The people of Dala Local Government are witnesses to how Hon. Abdulrahman Mainasara Salga devoted his time to building the ADC. He ensured it was accepted and established a strong foothold in Dala — a local government that serves as the political hub of Kano State. He served the party, opened offices for it, and mobilized support, in addition to his efforts in addressing community needs.

Indeed, the current political momentum in Dala, especially within the ADC, echoes the efforts of Ambassador Abdulrahman Salga Mainasara. He is seen by people in the area as the backbone of the party’s acceptance, and the most qualified to be put forward for the Federal House of Representatives seat in the local government. He is the only person who stood and nurtured the party to the level it has reached today.

Politicians and political observers have noted how many people are now joining the party. Many of them came in solely with the ambition to contest elections. For this reason, they are calling on party leaders and elders, such as Kwankwasiyya leader Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and other ADC stakeholders, to carefully consider fielding individuals who truly have the people’s development at heart during the primaries.

Consequently, in Dala Local Government, no one is seen by the community as more suitable, deserving, and credible to be fielded as the ADC candidate for the Federal House of Representatives than Ambassador Abdulrahman Mansur Mainasara Salga. He is the man who stood to ensure the party’s growth while also supporting community development. All the people of Dala would trust him in the 2027 elections.

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Kano Deputy Governorship, My Reiterated Position : My Challenge Against Riffraff

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By Abba Anwar

It very clear to my readers, that I kept quite at the initial stage of the heated debate hovering around our political development in Kano. When Deputy Governor His Excellency, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, resigned from his position few days back.

I kept quite not because I had nothing to contribute to the debate. I was only observing genuine and fake commentators. Those who talk directly from their clean hearts. And those who say one thing before point A and change tone under the same issue before point B.

Before reiterating my position, which was already in the public domain, “Why Hues, Cries Against Garo,” authored April 5th, 2026, let me say this, with all sincerity of purpose, while referring my readers back to what I wrote before now. All the write-ups are still available and can be searched.

What is that I want to say? I am an ardent advocate for unity and cooperation among leaders and followers of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano state. On this particular issue of unity, I am more concerned with Kano than Nigeria as a whole.

Secondly I don’t hide my political feelings all along. My defence are my write-ups. For the simple reason that, I write frequently for His Excellency, Deputy Senate President, Barau I Jibrin, CFR, that doesn’t mean I cannot write something and praise His Excellency, Deputy Gubernatorial Candidate, under APC, in 2023 election, Murtala Sule Garo.

It is double standard if I cannot tell Barau how I respect Garo. And vice versa. Nowhere in the past, when I support any form of divisions among our political leaders. I always called for unity, internal cohesion and coming together for a united front and purpose.

Yes I write more and more for Barau than Garo, but that does not mean I cannot express my political feelings or reasoning, that may not likely be palatable for Barau.

On 5th October, 2024, please go and search, I wrote “Barau’s Political Gamble : Ignoring His Supporters for Kwankwasiyya and NNPP Defectors.” In it I said, “Senator Barau, despite his admirable record of representation and infrastructure projects, seems distracted by these unnecessary political maneuvers. The time spent wooing disloyal members of rival parties would be better utilized in strengthening his political base. He should focus on empowering those who have supported him from the start, especially the youth and grassroots leaders who have been instrumental in his rise.”

As I said the above for Barau, I said this for Garo, in my write – up captioned, “Garo’s Bitter Truth and Kano’s Development,” dated January 5th, 2025, “For the first time, yes first time, in this republic, I mean since the restoration of our democracy from 1999 to date, I came across a prominent politician in Kano, blaming our leading politicians in the state, particularly past governors, over non-challant attitudes towards teaming up for the sake of state development.”

Not only Garo, with all my good write – ups for Barau, I still found it desirable to wrote something and commend Hon Abubakar Kabir Bichi, member representing Bichi federal constituency, at the House of Representatives. Bichi too, is seen by many as a die-hard political opponent for Barau. Go and search my piece titled, “Fateful Triangle : Kano APC’s Stronghold, Kano North,” dated 5th May, 2025.

I don’t hide my political leaning to anybody. Let people know that, with all modesty, I am just above collecting resources from so so person and write bad thing against another person in this race for Deputy Governorship in Kano. I cannot collect any inducement from opponents to write bad about Hon Kabiru Alasan Rurum, or Hon Rabi’u Sulaiman Bichi or HE Garo or Right Honourable Speaker, State House of Assembly, Hon Falgore.

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I cannot do that. And at the same time, I cannot write any bad thing and give to other opponents to write someone’s name. I don’t do that! Man, I am above that! When I believe in something, I dont hide.

LET ME PUT MY CHALLENGE FORWARD, WHOEVER KNOWS THAT SO SO PERSON GAVE ME SOMETHING AND I WROTE A SINGLE LINE EVEN, OR A PARAGRAPH, OR A COMPLETE ARTICLE AND GAVE IT TO ANOTHER PERSON’S OPPONENT TO PUT A PEN NAME, NOT MY NAME, AND USE IT AGAINST SOMEONE, WHOEVER KNOWS THIS AND KEEPS QUITE MAY ALLAH CURSE HIS LIFE COMPLETELY. LET HIM COME FORWARD WITH HIS EVIDENCE PLEASE AND MAKE IT PUBLIC. AND IF I DID THAT AND NOW SAID I DIDN’T DO, MAY ALLAH, OUR CREATOR, CURSE MY LIFE COMPLETELY TOO!!! AND WHOEVER GAVE ME A PENNY TO DO THAT AND KEEPS QUITE, MAY ALLAH CURSE HIM TOO!!!

Whenever I write something, I own it, no matter what. Let me give an example here, yes I worked under His Excellency, former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON, as his Chief Press Secretary, for six good years, but few months back during Tsanyawa /Kunchi and Bagwai/Shanono by-elections, after the declaration of the results by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), what I saw was nothing to write home about. Not impressive at all.

I immediately picked my pen and wrote an article, captioned, “Kano By-election : The Beginning of an End Era,” dated 17th August, 2025, in it, I called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, that he should review his political appointees who came from there, Kano North and immediately remove those who cannot perform as his good Ambassadors. I gave an example with the son of my boss, Engineer Abba Ganduje. I didn’t use any other name. I wrote it, I owned it and it was published and widely circulated. Please go and check.

The piece partly says, “To Allah Who Created me from nothing, if sadism, treachery and unnecessary political confrontation continue to take lead in our political relationship, especially among our leaders, APC is going nowhere in Kano. Even if it is leading Africa not Nigeria. Kano is known for its radical political engagement. I suggest President Tinubu should, I can’t say must – being a President – hastily look inward in Kano’s appointments and make necessary modifications.

For example, looking at the Kano North, where APC lost in this by-election, what is the use and relevance of appointments like that of Eng Umar Abdullahi Umar (Abba Ganduje) among other irrelevant appointments? What is the wisdom behind dropping people like Murtala Garo from the zone? What is the wisdom behind the unnecessary face-off between our elected people from the zone? What for?!”

When I wrote another article, where I blamed APC leadership in Kano for distraction and destruction, who gave me penny? And whose name was there as the author? The piece is titled, “Kano APC in Discombobulation : As Ploys Against DSP Barau Thickens,” dated December 15th, 2025. So I am beyond that, with all sense of modesty.

My position for Deputy Governorship, as I said very clearly in my recent write-up, captioned, “Why Hues, Cries Against Garo,” dated April, 5th, 2026, is Garo. I spoke out my reasons for his choice. My reader can kindly go and search.

In it I said, “And the way I see it, Garo is not desperate about it. He isn’t so desperate to become a Deputy Governor. My view, I stand to be corrected. As it is now, former Governors and former Deputy Governors, are still benefiting from him, from many standpoints.

Garo, unlike former Deputy Governor and Gubernatorial candidate under the platform of APC in 2023 election, His Excellency Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, who after he lost 2023 election was appointed, Chairman Governing Board, Bayero University, Kano and Chairman Board of Directors of Mortgage Bank, exited from APC recently to African Democratic Congress (ADC), in search of more political breathing space, Garo remains in the party without any appointment, whatsoever.

All along, nowhere was it reported that Garo was castigating the party at either state or national level. Now a vacancy arises, and the space is naturally available without any effort from anybody. Who then is in the best position to be compensated? If not Garo, who?”

When the write – up was published, Barau didn’t rise an eyebrow about it. In fact I sent him the links of all the online platforms that published the piece. The same way as, whenever I wrote something about Barau, Garo was one of the first people I send my write-ups to. Even for once, Garo never complained about it. And he didn’t change mood when we meet. I still believe misunderstanding between Barau and Garo or between Barau and Abban Bichi or between Garo and former State Party Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, or between any other leader or their followers, is not necessary please. All the leaders need each other. They believe it or not.

Anwar writes from Kano
Friday 17th April, 2026

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