Dr. Muhammed Musa Zango, popularly known as Fatah, has formally declared his intention to contest the Kano Central Senatorial seat under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Unveiling seven-point development agenda aimed at transforming Kano State and contributing to national progress.

Zango, who hails from Zangon Madubi in Kano Central Senatorial District, told supporters at Aminu Kano centre for Democratic research and training Mambayya House that his aspiration is rooted in years of grassroots engagement and community development efforts, including early initiatives that date back to 2003, when he supported small businesses in his community with capital to boost local economic activities.

He said those experiences shaped his belief in people-centered leadership and the need for legislative representation that directly responds to the needs of the grassroots.

Zango later presented what he described as his 7-point legislative and development agenda, which he said would guide his representation if elected senator:

He pledged strong representation at the National Assembly, promising to sponsor and support bills that would favor Kano State and strengthen its influence at the federal level.

Second, he outlined a focus on agriculture and national development, aimed at improving food production, supporting farmers, and linking agriculture to economic growth.

Third, he emphasized youth, women, and persons with special needs empowerment, with programmes targeted at inclusion, skills development, and economic support.

Fourth, he prioritised health sector development, calling for improved healthcare delivery, better facilities, and expanded access to medical services.

Fifth, he highlighted infrastructure and community development, stressing the need for improved road networks and the revival of major national projects, including the full resumption of the AKK (Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano) gas pipeline project.

Sixth, he pledged attention to water resources development, aimed at expanding access to clean and sustainable water supply systems across Kano Central communities.

Seventh, he called for the revival of Kano’s textile industry, describing it as a critical sector that once defined the economic strength of the state but has since declined and requires urgent revitalization.

Zango said the agenda reflects a practical roadmap for economic recovery, social inclusion, and industrial renewal, adding that his legislative focus would be centered on delivering measurable impact to constituents.

Zango’s entry into the 2027 senatorial race adds a new dimension to the competition in Kano Central, one of the most politically strategic districts in the state.

As preparations for the elections intensify, Zango’s campaign is expected to test its grassroots strength on the back of his long-standing community engagement and development-oriented political message.

A fresh political dispute has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State, as a leading governorship aspirant, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has publicly rejected the party’s reported adoption of a consensus candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a strongly worded statement shared via his verified Facebook page on Sunday, Pantami criticized what he described as a “coronation” disguised as a consensus arrangement for elective positions in the state. The former minister, who was in Abuja at the time of the announcement, said the process violated both party guidelines and provisions of Nigeria’s electoral law.

“Legally, there can be no valid consensus without involving the aspirants who have obtained or completed their expression of interest and nomination forms,” the statement read. He stressed that any legitimate consensus must involve the explicit, written consent of all cleared aspirants—failing which the party is obligated to conduct direct primaries.

Pantami cited Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which outlines only two permissible methods for candidate nomination: consensus and direct primaries. According to him, the current development in Gombe does not meet the legal threshold for consensus, as there is no indication that all aspirants agreed to step down.

The controversy follows reports that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has endorsed businessman Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna as the APC’s consensus candidate for the 2027 gubernatorial race. This move has reportedly sparked discontent among other aspirants within the party.

Pantami warned that the alleged imposition undermines internal democracy and contradicts directives from the APC’s national leadership, as well as guidance from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “The total disregard for the provisions of the law cannot be ignored,” he stated, adding that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

While calling on his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, Pantami revealed that his legal team is currently reviewing the situation and may challenge the process in court. He also urged party members to prepare for the possibility of direct primaries, emphasizing the need to address existing issues within the party’s membership database in the state.

The statement, signed by Professor Suleiman Mohammed on behalf of the Pantamiyya Movement, underscores growing tensions within the APC in Gombe State. Political observers say the dispute, if unresolved, could deepen internal divisions and impact the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim has dismissed allegations of a N1.8 billion fund mismanagement by the immediate past Head of Service, Abdullahi Musa describing the claims as misinformation.

The clarification follows a directive issued by Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf during the May Day celebrations, instructing the SSG to investigate the matter and uncover the facts.

A statement issued by Governor’s Chief Press Secretary Mustapha Muhammad on Saturday revealed that during the Workers Day, Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress Kano State, Comrade Kabiru Inuwa alleged that immediate past Head of Service had mismanaged state funds.

According to the release, Alhaji Ibrahim made this known during a Dinner and Award Night organised by the State Government in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the Government House, Kano on Saturday.

The SSG explained that the N1.8 billion in question was not mismanaged by government officials, but was instead identified as excessive charges deducted from civil servants’ salaries by loan vendors.

Upon the Governor’s directive, the SSG’s office engaged professional auditing firm to scrutinize the state’s payroll system and the accounts of the affected civil servants for the period under review.

Alhaji Ibrahim confirmed that the loan scheme was temporarily suspended to allow for this thorough investigation.

He said the audit revealed that several loan vendors had been charging workers rates far above their original contractual agreements.

Alhaji Ibrahim disclosed that the private auditing firm found that vendors had illegally accrued over N1.8 billion from civil servants through these overcharges.

The SSG revealed that based on these findings, the State Government has officially directed the loan vendors to return the N1.8 billion and it would be shared among the affected civil servants accordingly..