By: Muhammad Garba

In every political season, there emerges a figure whose actions rise above personal pride and partisan noise, a figure who understands that power is not merely about holding office but about healing fractures. In Kano today, that figure is Abba Kabir Yusuf. His return to the All Progressives Congress is not a retreat, nor is it a surrender. It is an act of political wisdom. In the language of the streets and the conscience of the people, it is the Game Changer, the unifier of divided paths.

Politics in Kano has never been a gentle affair. It is deeply emotional, fiercely ideological, and rooted in history. Over the years, loyalties hardened, camps solidified, and disagreements took on a life of their own. In such an atmosphere, it takes uncommon courage to choose reunion over resentment. Abba Kabir Yusuf has chosen the harder path. He has chosen the path that prioritizes Kano over camps, the people over pride, and the future over old wounds.

His rejoining of the APC must therefore be understood beyond the narrow lens of party movement. It is a statement that Kano can no longer afford endless political hostility. It is a recognition that governance thrives not in isolation but in cooperation. It is a belief that leadership is at its finest when it brings people together, even those who once stood on opposite sides.

For Kano and its people, this reunion is a blessing in clear and practical terms. Kano is a state of enormous human capital, commercial energy, and cultural influence. Yet, its full potential has often been limited by political divisions that weakened its bargaining power at the national level. A united Kano speaks louder. A reconciled leadership attracts attention, projects confidence, and commands respect. By returning to the APC, Abba Kabir Yusuf places Kano closer to the center of national decision making, where policies are shaped, resources are allocated, and futures are negotiated.

There is also a deeper moral lesson in this move. Leadership is not stubbornness. Strength is not the refusal to change course. True strength lies in knowing when to let go of bitterness for the sake of progress. In choosing reunion, Abba Kabir Yusuf reminds us that politics should be a means to improve lives, not a battlefield for endless grudges. He embodies the ancient wisdom that peace is not weakness, and compromise is not defeat.

As a unifier, his value lies not only in where he stands but in what he represents. He speaks to the ordinary Kano citizen who is tired of political tension and hungry for development. He speaks to traders who want stable policies, youths who seek opportunity, and elders who long for harmony. His return reassures them that leadership can still be guided by conscience and collective interest.

The APC too stands to gain from this reunion. A party grows stronger not by exclusion but by accommodation. By welcoming Abba Kabir Yusuf back, the party signals maturity and readiness to move forward as a broad platform that reflects Kano in all its diversity. It becomes a house large enough to contain different histories but united by a shared responsibility to govern.

In the final analysis, Raba gardama is not merely a nickname. It is a role. It is the calling of leaders who step into the storm and calm it, who choose bridges over walls. Abba Kabir Yusuf has stepped into that role at a critical moment in Kano’s political journey. His return to the APC is a reminder that the greatest victories in politics are not won at rallies or polls alone, but in the hearts of a people yearning for unity, stability, and a future they can believe in.

Kano, once again, has been given a chance to walk together. And history will remember those who chose reunion when division was easier.

Muhammad Garba, writes from Kano

By Dr. Mukhtar Bello Maisudan

President Kano State Scholars’ Assembly
In the timeless words of Sir Winston Churchill, “Politics is not a game. It is an earnest business.” Yet, embedded in this earnestness is the fluidity of alliances, the pursuit of progress, and the unyielding quest for what benefits the people. Churchill, a wise statesman whose insights have endured through eras of turmoil, reminds us that politics transcends rigid ideologies or personal loyalties—it’s about delivering tangible results. This reflection rings particularly true in the dynamic landscape of Nigerian politics, where adaptability often spells the difference between stagnation and advancement. Today, as we turn our gaze to Kano State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s decision to rejoin the All Progressives Congress (APC) exemplifies this wisdom, marking a pragmatic step toward unity, stability, and accelerated development for the people of Kano.
Kano, the commercial heartbeat of Northern Nigeria, has long been a theater of intense political drama. From the era of colonial influences to the post-independence struggles, its politics have been shaped by charismatic leaders, shifting party loyalties, and the ever-present tension between state ambitions and federal realities. In recent years, the state has witnessed a whirlwind of changes: the 2023 gubernatorial election, fraught with legal battles and recounts, ultimately installed Yusuf under the banner of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), backed by his mentor, Rabiu Kwankwaso. Yet, governance in a federation like Nigeria demands more than electoral victories—it requires alignment with the center to unlock resources, foster collaboration, and drive socio-economic growth. Yusuf’s move to APC on January 26, 2026, is not a betrayal of principles but a calculated realignment that prioritizes Kano’s future over partisan rigidity.
Critics, including voices from the NNPP, have decried this as a “betrayal,” pointing to the Kwankwasiyya movement’s role in Yusuf’s rise and the electorate’s mandate against the previous APC administration under Abdullahi Ganduje. They argue it undermines the trust of those who voted for change after years of perceived misgovernance. But let’s apply Churchill’s lens here: Politics is earnest business, not a static allegiance. Yusuf’s defection comes amid internal NNPP crises and the practical challenges of governing an opposition state in a nation where the APC holds federal sway. By rejoining a party he was once part of in 2014—when he even conceded a senatorial ticket to Kwankwaso—Yusuf is signaling a return to a “familiar and structured platform for progressive governance.” This isn’t opportunism; it’s statesmanship. Aligning Kano with the ruling party opens doors to federal support, infrastructure projects, and economic initiatives that could transform the state’s fortunes.
Consider the potential dividends: Enhanced collaboration with President Bola Tinubu’s administration could mean more funding for Kano’s agricultural hubs, improved healthcare, and bolstered security in a region plagued by banditry. Yusuf himself has emphasized “national cohesion and development” as key drivers, echoing the need for unity in a divided political era.

With 21 state assembly members, and 44 local government chairmen following suit, this mass defection consolidates power, reduces legislative gridlock, and positions Yusuf as the APC’s frontrunner for 2027—ensuring continuity in his developmental agenda. In a state where poverty alleviation and youth empowerment are pressing, such stability is invaluable.
Of course, politics isn’t without its ironies. Yusuf’s move has drawn endorsements from former rivals like Ganduje and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who see it as a pathway to “stronger collaboration and accelerated socio-economic development.” This underscores another wise truism: In politics, there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests. Kano’s interests—jobs, education, and prosperity—outweigh any lingering grudges. As the APC now controls 29 of Nigeria’s 36 states, Yusuf’s decision places Kano firmly in the national mainstream, avoiding the isolation that has hampered other opposition-led states.
In reflecting on what a wise man like Churchill would say, we’d do well to remember that effective leadership demands flexibility. Governor Yusuf’s return to APC is a bold, forward-thinking choice that deserves applause, not condemnation. It reflects the maturity of a leader who puts his people first, navigating the earnest business of politics with an eye on lasting progress. For Kano, this could herald a new chapter of unity and growth—proving once again that in the game of governance, wisdom prevails over dogma.

By Mansur Chiranchi

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has effectively resigned from the NNPP and his defection to the APC is certain. And since the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has remained with the NNPP, there is a clear political opening for a deputy- governor position in the political realignment within the new APC-led administration.

​As the situation shows, this is why Murtala Sule Garo is the Key to Kano’s political realignment.
He is a politician with significant grassroots momentum. ​​Whenever he walks through the streets of Kabo, or any of the numerous communities he has touched, crowds of young men and women line up the roads chanting: “Sai Commander.”
​This nickname is more than a term of endearment for his generosity; it reflects a reputation built on relentless community work, decisive leadership, and a political instinct that has propelled him from a local government aide to the frontline of Kano State’s political powerhouse.

​Born on May 16, 1978, in Garo, Kabo Local Government Area, Garo was raised in a household that valued dignity, service, and solidarity. These early lessons in communal responsibility shaped a political philosophy rooted in the belief that impactful development must begin at the grassroots.

As he grew up, ​Garo entered public service as a Special Adviser to the Kabo Local Government Area Chairman. His leadership qualities began to manifest and his ability to translate community needs into actionable projects quickly earned him the chairmanship of the LGA.

When he eventually became the chairman for Kabo LGA, his colleagues recognized his vibrant leadership. Across the state’s 44 local governments all his peers decided to elect him to lead the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Kano. As Chairman of ALGON, he ensured a stable and productive relationship between state authorities and local officials, a development that enhances rapid development and tapping of of the state’s natural resources.

​In between 2019 and 2023, Garo was the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. He was at the heart of Kano’s rural development agenda and his tenure was defined by three key pillars:
​Educational revitalization that saw rapid renovation of primary school facilities across all 44 LGA; rural infrastructure that opens new trade routes for farmers and economic empowerment and implementation of programs that reduced rural-urban migration by lifting citizens out of poverty.
​His hands-on style and pragmatic approach had equally earned him the reputation of an “achiever” rather than a mere talker, gaining him credibility even across party lines.
​
​Party insiders describe Garo as a “political engine” capable of mobilizing votes across both urban and rural divides. With record of remarkable results, his deep roots in the Northern Kano Senatorial District and his influence within youth organizations led to his strategic selection as the running mate to Dr. Nasir Yusuf Gawuna in the 2023 gubernatorial election.

​His leadership style—often described as a blend of military precision and civilian empathy—sets clear targets while maintaining accessibility, remaining humble and approachable. He delegates responsibility but personally monitors results, a trait that further solidifies his “Commander” title.

​The Path Forward

​As Kano prepares for an eminent political realignment, Murtala Sule Garo stands as the most suitable and viable candidate for the position of Deputy Governor. His track record suggests he will prioritize sustainable rural development, human capital investment, and transparent governance.

​By nominating Garo, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has a unique opportunity to strengthen his administration now and brighten his 2027 reelection prospects. Garo’s blend of grassroots credibility and administrative competence makes him an indispensable player in shaping the future of Kano State.

Chiranchi contributed this piece from Dorayi, Kano