The All Progressives Congress (APC) is positioning itself for a strong comeback in Kano State following widespread endorsements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term and Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 elections.
Once an APC stronghold, Kano shifted allegiance to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the last general elections, with the party losing the governorship and most senatorial seats except for Kano North, retained by Senator Barau. Since then, the APC has remained in opposition in the state, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s key electoral battlegrounds, with Senator Barau emerging as the central pillar of the party locally. Former APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje praised him as the “General of Nigerian Politics,” highlighting his contributions to the party and state.
With the 2027 elections approaching, APC stakeholders in Kano have begun strategizing to reclaim the state from what they describe as NNPP misrule. Over recent weeks, influential voices within the party have endorsed President Tinubu’s re-election bid and called for Senator Barau, who also serves as First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, to be adopted as the party’s sole governorship candidate. Supporters cite his popularity among grassroots voters, respect among elites, admiration by youth and women, and broad acceptance by clerics, academics, and the business community, labeling him the “People’s Senator.”
Leading the endorsements were over 200 former and serving members of the Kano State House of Assembly, spanning 1999 to date, led by former Speaker Rt. Hon. Abdulaziz G. Gafasa. They visited the National Assembly to endorse both Tinubu and Senator Barau. “You have positively impacted the lives of our people across Kano’s three senatorial districts, strengthened the APC, and touched our lives even beyond your constituency. This makes you the most marketable candidate in APC,” Gafasa stated.
The forum of former Kano State Commissioners (2019-2023) under Dr. Ganduje, grassroots political leaders, and women leaders from 31 local government areas of Kano Central and South Senatorial Districts also expressed support for Senator Barau, commending his developmental initiatives.
Former local government chairmen from 2019-2022 unanimously adopted Senator Barau as the APC’s governorship candidate during a visit to the National Assembly. Motioned by Barrister Dahiru Mannir Maigari and seconded by Hon. Baffa Mohammed Takai, the adoption was approved through a voice vote, with leaders urging Senator Barau to declare his candidacy.
Further support came from the Forum of Former Speakers and Councillors of Kano State LGAs, led by Hon. Shuaibu Haruna Gamarya, who endorsed both Tinubu’s re-election and Senator Barau’s governorship ambition. They described him as a senator for all, whose contributions have positively impacted Kano State and Northern Nigeria.
The Forum of Former Secretaries of the 44 LGAs, the Tinubu/Barau Support Group Coalition of youths and residents across all local government areas, and former chairmen who served during Malam Ibrahim Shekarau’s tenure also rallied behind the duo. Former federal lawmakers, councillors, supervisors, and advisers spanning multiple decades similarly pledged support and committed to mobilizing grassroots efforts.
Local government stakeholders, including the Kano North Senatorial District Caucus, reaffirmed their loyalty and endorsed Senator Barau as the APC’s sole governorship candidate for 2027. Hon. Faruk Lawan stated that the unified endorsements signaled strong prospects for victory in the upcoming elections, while Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata expressed confidence that Senator Barau would be sworn in as governor on May 29, 2027.
Addressing supporters, Senator Barau emphasized the mission to restore Kano to its former glory. “Kano once rivaled Lagos in development and commerce, but today it lags due to poor leadership. We must work together to revive our state. Glory be to Allah that our people are united behind this movement to rescue Kano. By God’s grace, we will restore our state to its former heights.”
