Shekarau Weighs Return to APC Ahead of 2027 Elections
Former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau is reportedly close to rejoining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as he rounds off consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former Minister of Education, who is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is said to have reached this point after a series of high-level meetings with key political figures.
Sources indicate that Shekarau held separate closed-door talks with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos and Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, as part of ongoing political realignments in the state.
The meeting with Tinubu reportedly took place during the Easter period and was aimed at strengthening the APC’s position in Kano. Shortly after, Governor Yusuf visited Shekarau at his residence in Kano, alongside party stakeholders, in what appeared to be a move to further consolidate alliances.
This comes amid shifting political dynamics in Kano. Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, had earlier met with Shekarau in an attempt to bring him into the African Democratic Congress (ADC). However, that effort did not yield the desired outcome.
While Kwankwaso was unable to secure Shekarau’s backing, he has gained the support of Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, a former deputy governor and longtime ally of Shekarau, who has since joined the ADC.
Kano’s political landscape has seen significant shifts in recent months. Governor Yusuf’s decision to part ways with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and align with the APC sparked mixed reactions but has since reshaped alliances across the state. Interestingly, Kwankwaso also recently exited the NNPP for the ADC, a move seen as an effort to rebuild his political base.
Shekarau has publicly defended Yusuf’s defection, arguing that political movement between parties is not new. He pointed out that Kwankwaso himself left the PDP for the APC in 2013 while still serving as governor, without relinquishing his position.
Once a founding member of the APC, Shekarau left the party after internal power struggles, particularly following Kwankwaso’s emergence as a dominant figure in Kano politics. Although both men briefly reunited politically in 2022, their alliance later broke down over disagreements.
Reacting to the recent developments, Shekarau’s spokesperson confirmed that the former governor has been meeting with various political stakeholders, including current and former officeholders. However, he noted that a final decision on Shekarau’s political future will be made public once consultations are concluded.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, Shekarau’s next move is expected to play a significant role in shaping Kano’s political direction.
