​The political atmosphere reached a fever pitch this week as the House of Assembly conducted the screening of Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo for the office of Deputy Governor. While the constitutional requirement of the screening is a formal administrative process, the scene at the Assembly complex told a much deeper story: one of absolute party harmony, grassroots loyalty, and a strategic realignment that has effectively unified the political landscape. The nominee did not arrive as a lone figure; he was ushered into the chamber by a “grand coalition” of stakeholders that spanned the entire spectrum of leadership. The sheer volume and diversity of the entourage served as an unmistakable confirmation of Garo’s total acceptability across all party organs and a testament to the fact that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has made a highly credible and strategic decision.
​In a remarkable display of commitment, the majority of these stakeholders traveled all the way from Abuja and other distant parts of the country specifically to witness the exercise. This mass migration of the political elite back to the state capital served as a powerful symbol of Garo’s widespread appeal and the high stakes of his confirmation following the vacancy created on March 27, 2026. Leading the charge were heavyweights of the National Assembly and former executive pillars, including Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi. Senator Kawu Sumaila and Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, representing the legislative backbone of the state, alongside Dr. Mariya Mahmud Bunkure, and Engr. Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, Rt. Hon. Hamisu Ibrahim Chidari,Hon. Engr. Sani Bala Tsanyawa,Hon. Abdullahi Sani Rogo,Hon. Yusuf Ahmed Badau,Hon. Sagir Koki,Hon. Abdullahi Mu’azu Gwarzo.
​The endorsement of the party’s foundation was particularly evident through the presence of the Elders Forum of the old APC. Distinguished leaders such as Former Speaker Hon. Abdulaziz Garba Gafasa, Fomer Speaker Hon. Ya’u Yanshana, Former Deputy Speaker Hon. Aliko Shu’aibu, Former Deputy Speaker Hon. Kabiru Hassan Dashi,Alhaji Bako Laraba, Alhaji Abubakar Mai-Mai Kwanar Dangora, and Alhaji Talle Mai’unguwa, among others, were prominently represented to identify with the nominee. Their presence signaled a vital bridge between the party’s heritage and its future, reinforcing the broad-based consensus behind Garo’s emergence as the preferred choice among the legacy stakeholders.
​However, it was the depth of the wider delegation that truly underscored the nominee’s reach. The entourage featured a rare assembly of institutional memory and grassroots power, including members of the Forum of Former Commissioners (2015–2023). and a vast array of former Special Advisers, SSAs, and Chief Executives of state agencies. This executive weight was matched by the “grassroots commanders”—former Local Government Chairmen and Caucus Committee Chairmen from all 44 LGAs—proving that the nominee’s support resonates in every ward. The legislative solidarity was equally imposing, with former Speakers and Members of the State House of Assembly standing side-by-side with both former and serving members of the Federal House of Representatives.
​This massive turnout also showcased the “soul” of the party, as current and former Party Executives joined the vibrant Women’s Wing to demonstrate that the internal machinery is fully energized. Even the digital and security arms of the movement were represented, with social media influencers documenting the historic moment in real-time and Party Marshalls maintaining the orderly conduct of the massive crowd. By bringing together the “old guard” and the “new wave,” Murtala Garo has positioned himself as a consensus candidate capable of healing rifts and fostering long-term stability.
​Without a doubt, this event stands as the most significant screening exercise in the history of the state. Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, the State House of Assembly has never witnessed such an unprecedented and massive turnout in support of a single nominee. This record-breaking mobilization transcends mere politics; it is a historic declaration of collective intent. The presence of such an overwhelming and diverse coalition—uniting the wisdom of the old guard with the dynamism of the new generation—serves as the ultimate seal of authenticity for Murtala Sule Garo. It confirms that he is not just a nominee of the executive, but a choice of the people and the party at large.
​As the state prepares for this new chapter, the message is undeniable: with a unified leadership, an energized grassroots, and a consensus that stretches from the local wards to the halls of Abuja, the path forward is one of unprecedented stability and progress. The Governor’s decision has not only filled a vacancy; it has fortified the very foundation of the state’s political future.

Governance, at its most fundamental level, is not a series of isolated decisions. It is a coherent and sustained act of institutional will, expressed through the accumulation of choices that, taken together, reveal the values, the priorities, and the long-term vision of the leader making them.

Every appointment a governor makes, every vacancy he fills, every partner he chooses to place beside him at the highest levels of the state’s executive, is a window into his understanding of what governance requires, what his people deserve, and what kind of state he intends to build by the time his tenure is complete. When Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf transmitted the name of Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo to the Kano State House of Assembly on April 22, 2026, for screening and confirmation as Deputy Governor, he opened precisely such a window. And what it reveals about his governance vision for Kano is both illuminating and deeply reassuring

The context in which this nomination was made is inseparable from its meaning. Kano’s political space had been in active turbulence for months, shaped by the seismic consequences of Governor Yusuf’s defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the All Progressives Congress, the resignation of former Deputy Governor Abdussalam Gwarzo on March 27, 2026, amid impeachment proceedings triggered by disagreements over party affiliation, and the fierce public debate about loyalty, identity, and political direction that those events generated across the state.

In the midst of that turbulence, a lesser political leader might have been tempted to make a hasty appointment, to fill the vacancy quickly with a figure whose primary qualification was political convenience rather than governance competence, and to move on. Governor Yusuf chose a different path entirely. He took his time. He consulted widely. He thought carefully. And he arrived at a nomination that speaks not to the pressures of the moment but to the demands of the long term

That choice, deliberate and consultative rather than reactive and expedient, is itself a governance statement

It says that this administration understands the difference between managing a political crisis and building a governance legacy. It says that the vacancy created by Gwarzo’s departure was not merely a constitutional inconvenience to be resolved at the earliest opportunity but a governance challenge to be addressed with the full weight of strategic thought and stakeholder engagement that it deserved. And it says, most importantly, that the person chosen to fill that vacancy was selected not because of what his appointment would do for the politics of the moment but because of what his presence in the deputy governor’s office will do for the governance of the state across the remainder of this administration’s term and beyond

Murtala Sule Garo brings to this moment a profile that is uniquely suited to the three governance imperatives that his nomination signals most clearly: stability, continuity, and consolidation. These are not abstract governance concepts. In the specific context of Kano State in April 2026, they are urgent, concrete, and measurable requirements that the administration’s development agenda depends upon for its successful execution.
Stability, in this context, means the restoration of a fully constituted and functionally coherent executive that can manage the complex, multi-layered demands of governing Nigeria’s most populous state without the distraction, the vulnerability, and the institutional incompleteness that a deputy governor vacancy inevitably creates. Garo’s nomination addresses that requirement directly and comprehensively

His reputation as a calm, strategic, and calculated political actor, his well-documented ability to navigate complex political environments without generating unnecessary friction, and his long-established relationships with the diverse stakeholder communities across Kano’s 44 local government areas make him precisely the stabilising presence that the executive requires at this juncture. In a political terrain where competing elite interests, factional pressures, and legislative-executive dynamics create a continuous requirement for careful management and diplomatic skill, a deputy governor whose defining political characteristics include consensus-building, strategic pragmatism, and cross-factional accessibility is not merely a useful addition to the executive. He is an essential one.
Continuity, in this context, means the uninterrupted pursuit of the development agenda that Governor Yusuf’s administration has been executing since May 2023, an agenda anchored on the Kano First philosophy and expressed through the most ambitious budget in the state’s history, a N1.477 trillion appropriation for 2026 with 68 percent directed at capital projects, historic investments in education that produced Kano’s first-place ranking in the 2025 NECO results, women and youth empowerment programmes that have disbursed over N334 million to 6,680 women entrepreneurs and more than N800 million to over 5,300 young people, agricultural revitalisation through 199,000 bags of fertiliser, 11 approved mini-dams, and expanded extension worker deployment, and a security architecture strengthened by 2,000 trained Neighbourhood Watch operatives across the state. All of that work is in motion

All of it requires sustained executive focus, institutional coherence, and leadership alignment to deliver the outcomes that the people of Kano have been promised and that the data already shows are beginning to materialise. A deputy governor whose career has been defined by institutional commitment, administrative discipline, and a governance philosophy centred on community-driven, locally responsive delivery is a deputy governor who will protect and advance that continuity rather than disrupt it

Garo’s experience as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is particularly relevant to the continuity imperative. The Kano First Agenda’s most tangible outcomes, the empowerment programmes, the infrastructure projects, the agricultural interventions, the security structures, are delivered not from the corridors of Government House but through the 44 local government areas of the state, each with its own administrative dynamics, its own community priorities, and its own relationship with the state executive. A deputy governor who has spent years at the intersection of state policy and local government implementation, who has managed the relationships between formal administrative structures and traditional authority systems, and who has built a statewide network of trust and engagement across every local government area through his tenure as ALGON Chairman, is a deputy governor who can ensure that the administration’s development agenda reaches every community in Kano with the fidelity and the effectiveness that the governor’s vision demands

Consolidation, in this context, means the deliberate and strategic strengthening of the APC coalition in Kano, the deepening of the political relationships, the broadening of the stakeholder base, and the building of the institutional structures that will carry the administration through the remainder of its current term and position it competitively for the 2027 electoral cycle. This is perhaps the most politically sensitive of the three imperatives, and it is the one that Garo’s profile addresses with the greatest precision and the most compelling credibility. His candidacy as the APC’s Deputy Governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections, his ward-level mobilisation work across all 44 local government areas of the state, his deep relationships with party structures, community leaders, traditional institutions, women’s groups, and youth organisations in every corner of Kano, and his reputation as a loyal party man who rose through the APC’s organisational ranks through long-term commitment rather than opportunistic positioning, all combine to make him the ideal instrument of political consolidation for an administration that is simultaneously managing the consequences of a major defection and building the foundations of a new and broader political coalition.
The public response to Garo’s nomination has provided the most immediate and powerful confirmation of the consolidation logic behind it.

The spontaneous street celebrations that erupted across Kano metropolis and beyond within hours of the announcement, the viral videos of youths chanting “Sai Abba” and “Sai Garo” through major roads, carrying portraits of the governor and his nominee in scenes of genuine and unmanufactured popular enthusiasm, were not merely expressions of personal affection for a well-liked politician. They were expressions of public relief, of the relief that a population feels when its government demonstrates, through a specific and consequential decision, that it is thinking clearly, acting strategically, and choosing its partners with the care and the seriousness that the responsibilities of governance demand

That relief is itself a governance outcome. A population that trusts its government’s judgment is a population that is more likely to engage with its programmes, support its initiatives, absorb its policies, and extend the patience that ambitious development agendas inevitably require. By making a nomination that has generated genuine and widespread public confidence, Governor Yusuf has strengthened not only his executive team but his broader governance environment, creating the conditions of public trust and political stability within which his administration’s most ambitious objectives can be most effectively pursued

The nomination of Murtala Sule Garo is, in the final analysis, a portrait of a governor who knows exactly what he is doing and exactly why he is doing it. It is a portrait of a leader who has looked at the governance challenges before him, assessed the political landscape around him, and made a choice that addresses both with the intelligence, the foresight, and the strategic clarity that Kano’s 20 million people have every right to expect from the man they elected to lead them. Stability, continuity, and consolidation are not merely words in a governance document. Under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, they are becoming the defining characteristics of a state that is moving, with deliberate and unstoppable purpose, toward the future its people deserve.

Aliyu Mohammed Idris,PhD
President
Northern Your Assembly,

Hafiz Abubakar, PhD
23rd April, 2026
Secretary General
Northern Youth Assembly
23rd April, 2026

By Abba Anwar

As multi-sectoral and impactful, His Excellency, the Deputy Senate President, Dr Barau I Jibrin, CFR, is, his impact as a good and responsible representative, is felt across the entire Kano state, particularly, his primary constituency, Kano North. It isn’t an over-streched statement or boastful presentation, to say, Kano has never produced, a productive and people – oriented Senator like him. I stand to be corrected.

His expertise goes beyond being an orator, on the floor of the Senate, this important quality touches his constituents with multi-sectoral interventions across all the local governments. His quietness, discipline, leniency, humane posture, regional and global understanding, and intellectual capacity, are not only intimidating, they are the engine room of his domineering effect among contemporaries. No doubt about this. He who doubts, at his own peril.

On the floor of the Senate, DSP Jibrin, commands respect among colleagues. As he believes respect is reciprocal. Not only his Distinguished colleagues, even staff of the National Assembly, Senate precisely, know that, His Excellency is a rallying point for true patriotism and disciplined citizenship. His detribalised posture, earns him more respect among colleagues. He doesn’t look down at fellow human beings. An attribute that is naturally his.

The first Deputy Senate President from Kano state, since the return of democracy. It is an open secret that, His Excellency, Senate President, Senator God’swill Akpabio, enjoys working with the DSP very well. He finds an informed, highly educated, well versed, down-to-earth, an excellent human manager and brilliant Deputy, in DSP Jibrin. So also other Distinguished colleagues. Kano is proud of you Sir! Adieu Senator!! Adieu!!!

His strength in the Senate lies on the shoulders of its leadership and all other Distinguished colleagues. The kind of cooperation and mutual understanding he enjoys from his colleagues, became defining moment in his legislative life and selfless representation.

His unrelenting effort in respectfully engaging with all Senators, coupled with his brilliant understanding and contributions in the legislative process, earn him extra goodwill and well wishes from his colleagues. He is one of the leading principal officers, who listens the demands of colleagues and attends to them.

His multi – sectoral interventions back home, made it necessary for him to look at many sectors and sub-sectors, for the good of his people. Let me refer back to few months ago. This enlightened Senator, was, according to a research then, the most visible and one of the most productive legislators across Northern Nigeria. His, is beyond Kano.

As his legislative influence and recognition, go beyond Nigeria. Remember? He is the First Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament. A position he holds with passion, confidence, strategic engagement, vivid understanding of the global politics and Pan African posture. He has already been identified as one of the most vibrant legislators across Africa. Barau Ikon Allah!

What results are there at home from this gentleman? This space cannot take all his interventions back home. But I manage to list some of the fundamental projects and programmes from the Distinguished Senator. Let me start with his interventions for Kano North, 2015–2026, at a glance, if you wish.

Under Education he initiated Foreign scholarships. Fully funded Postgraduate Scholarships Abroad for indigent students through Barau I. Jibrin Foundation. Where seventy (70) students from across all the local governments under his Kano North zone benefited. All the sponsored students, that I earlier called BARAU SCHOLARS, got admission to study modern courses of greater value and substance. Such as Software Engineering, Robotics Sciences, Artificial Intelligence, Forensic Engineering, among others.

Just few days back, some of the Barau Scholars came back home after successfully completing their postgraduate studies abroad. They were received well by Barau’s Foundation and their respective families. They promised to give their quota in the development of the state as a whole. And the country in general. This is selfless, meaningful and patriotic engagement of our youth. One like no other.

It is all there for all to go and search, he gave scholarships for hundreds of thousands for Kano North students, across our tertiary institutions in the state. Which was also extended statewide, for other students from Kano Central and Kano South senatorial zones. Under this our people – oriented Senator also sponsored 300 hundred students to some selected Nigerian universities across the nation. All the stories are there for one to search.

He sponsored and facilitated for the establishment of Federal University of Science and Technology, Kabo (FUST, Kabo). Which has since taken-off. Renaming of Federal College of Education, Kano, (FCE, Kano) to Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano.

He facilitated the establishment of Satellite Campuses of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) across all the local governments under his constituency, Kano North. He did that to ameliorate the suffering of our students going to other places for the NOUN programmes. With this, many more students got enrolled to further their education.

I do not talk of how he facilitated for the establishment of Satellite Campuses of the Federal University, Dutsinma, across many local governments in Kano state. With this initiative, many Kano students got admission and have started their studies comfortably. He believes in education being the key to human and societal development.

Under Agriculture & Food Security, DSP allocated the sum of Two Billion Seventy Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (N2.79b), under Barau Initiative for Agricultural Revolution in the Northwest (BIARN), scheme. Where interest-free N5m loans would be given to each of the 558 young farmers across Northwest. Though the project is still batting hard to be implemented.

He developed another agricultural strategy for 132 beneficiaries, under special programme of Crop Focus, for maize and rice cultivation to boost yields and cut food cost. An initiative to promote food security. In the same line, he distributed over 400,000 bags of rice as palliatives to over Two Hundred Thousand households across Kano. This is just an estimate.

Under Economic Empowerment & Poverty Alleviation, he recently launched programme for grant distribution of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000), only as monthly capital to 1,300 individuals per month, from Kano North zone for 12 months. Which means a total of 15,600 beneficiaries. While the total disbursement will be over Two Hundred Million Naira (N218.2m) in one year.

He distributed the sum of N20,000 cash grants to 10,000 beneficiaries across 44 local government areas. Where 6,500 selected from Kano North, his constituency. At 500 per local government. Plus 112 beneficiaries per local government in Kano Central and Kano South. A Senator like no other.

Under the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for our small businesses, he purchased and distributed working equipments, like 1,300 sewing machines, 1,300 grinding machines, 1,300 deep freezers, 1,300 noodle-making machines and bags of flour, for women and youth across the state. A multi-purpose Senator if you like.

In his patriotic intervention in the transport sector, as his support, he distributed 1,300 bicycles for students in his constituency, especially in the rural areas, where the means of transportation is hard and harsh. He gave out 1,000 motorcycles to beneficiaries who came from different communities. With130 vehicles to transport unions.

In his unmatched effort to boost commercial activities around transport business, he initiated and launched Kano North Transport Service (KNTS), with 107 buses. It hardly takes you over 10 or 20 minutes, as one is plying major roads in Kano North without spotting such commercial buses with their tags and names decorated. This is human development per excellence.

For Sports and Youth Development, in his effort to boost sporting activities among youth, to keep them busy and drive them away from any form of drug abuse, he provided Jerseys for 1,950 teams across Kano North. Apart from other sport kits.

Under security, Distinguished Senator Jibrin, provided dozens of operational vehicles to Kano State Police Command to help them access nooks and crannies of the state. Some few months back, he donated over One Thousand (1,000) motorcycles to the Command for distribution to other ranks and file for easy and accessible operations across the state.

He gave out other logistics support to all the security agencies across the state. Apart from other security assistance to all security services in the state. Some of such donations cannot be disclosed for security reasons. As some security issues are not meant for public eyes.

For Legislative and regional projects he dearly facilitated projects across Kano North LGAs. His primary constituency. He hosted ECOWAS Parliament 2nd Extraordinary Session in Kano with 12 African countries in attendance, in April 2024. With that he was able to bring to the fore, for the participants to know the value of Kano culture, alongside the culture of the nation as a whole.

Distinguished DSP is not only a bridge builder between old and upcoming politicians in the North, he is one of the few legislators, who struggle to become embodiment of virtue, discipline, respect, hardwork, foresight, open-minded with sterling qualities, fearlessness and total commitment to welfare state.

With politicians like DSP, up North, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) needs a few press of some carefully selected buttons, ahead of 2027. If you want victory embrace those who see themselves as servants of the people.

Anwar writes from Kano
Tuesday, 21st April, 2026