The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced a new senatorial candidate for Kano South, excluding former senator Kabiru Gaya from its ticket despite his recent move to the party with hopes of returning to the National Assembly.
Gaya, who left the All Progressives Congress (APC) in April and later joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) before aligning with the NDC alongside former Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, had been expected to secure the party’s Senate ticket.
However, the party instead selected Kassim Batayya as its consensus candidate during a meeting held at Kwankwaso’s residence in Kano.
The decision was confirmed by Kwankwaso’s media aide, who announced Batayya’s emergence via social media, alongside a video showing Gaya endorsing the choice, though he reportedly noted he was not present when the decision was made.
Gaya, a former governor of Kano State during the short-lived Third Republic and senator between 2015 and 2023, had earlier expressed interest in making a return to the Senate under the new political arrangement.
The NDC is currently conducting its primary congresses across senatorial, House of Representatives, and state assembly positions in Kano.
Meanwhile, political shifts continue in the state, with former Senator Kawu Sumaila, who defeated Gaya in 2023, also leaving the NNPP for the APC and securing a nomination for the 2027 elections.
