Top members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State and those loyal to former Deputy Governor Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna are preparing to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The development followed a meeting between members of Gawuna’s political camp and Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Tuesday night.
Moreover, the delegation also met with the governor’s deputy, Murtala Sule Garo, during the visit.
The meeting is understood to be part of consultations ahead of the expected movement of the group back to the APC.
Although no formal defection ceremony has been announced, the visit has strengthened reports that Gawuna and several members of his political structure are reconsidering their membership of the NDC.
Gawuna is currently the NDC candidate for the Kano Central Senatorial District in the 2027 election.
He was previously the APC candidate for governor in the 2023 election, when he lost to Abba Yusuf, who contested on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Gawuna later left the APC and joined the political camp led by former Kano governor and Kwankwasiyya movement leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
He eventually secured the NDC ticket for Kano Central after Kwankwaso selected former Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo as the party’s governorship candidate for the state.
Kwankwaso announced the arrangement in May, saying the decision was guided by “equity, fairness, loyalty, and competence.”
However, Gawuna’s position within the NDC has come under increasing uncertainty in recent months.
In June, there were reports that he was considering leaving the NDC for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with discussions between his camp and the ADC leadership said to have reached an advanced stage.
The reported move followed disagreements over the NDC governorship ticket after Gawuna was passed over for Gwarzo.
At the time, the ADC was also said to have been considering concessions for members of Gawuna’s political camp.
The delegation that visited Governor Yusuf was led by Muhammad Badaru Umar, a close associate of Gawuna.
Others in the delegation included Ali Datti Yako, the NDC vice chairman in Kano State; Mansur Isa Gawuna; Uba Tanko Mijinyawa, popularly known as Uba Danzainab; Aminu Umar Faruk; Sani Jibrin; Salisu Muhammad; Musa Sani Indabo; Muhammad Kabir Bala; Hassan Abba Abdullahi; and Abdurrahman Muhammad.
Speaking during the meeting, Umar said the group was interested in the development of Kano and wanted to maintain engagement with the state government.
“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 added that the consultations were designed to create room for members of the group to contribute to the state’s development.
“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,” he said.
Umar further said the group would continue to support policies and programmes considered beneficial to 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.
Yako also expressed support for the Yusuf administration.
“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.
He said the visit was also meant to demonstrate solidarity with Yusuf and Garo.
“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 NDC has also recorded movements in the opposite direction.
In May, Kano State lawmaker Abdulmajid Isa Umar Mai Rigar Fata left the APC for the NDC after failing to secure the ruling party’s ticket for another term in the State House of Assembly.
He was joined by former Gwale Local Government vice chairman Kabiru Sani Auwal Obi and Mahadi Isa Umar.
