KANO — Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State have taken a decisive step in shaping the party’s political direction ahead of forthcoming elections, purchasing the expression of interest and nomination forms for the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf. The move, widely interpreted as a strong endorsement of the governor, was formalized during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday in Kano.
The forms were presented to Governor Yusuf by the immediate past National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who played a central role in rallying support among party leaders. The symbolic gesture underscores a growing consensus within the Kano APC that Yusuf should emerge as the party’s sole governorship candidate in the state.
Addressing party members at the gathering, Ganduje declared that the leadership had reached a unanimous decision to back Yusuf for a second term in office. He described the presentation of the forms as not just procedural, but also a demonstration of confidence in the governor’s leadership and performance.
“We have already agreed that you are our sole governorship candidate,” Ganduje said. “In order to actualize that promise, I, as a former Deputy Governor for eight years, former Governor for eight years, and former National Chairman of our great party, hereby hand over these two important forms to you.”
The documents handed to the governor include both the expression of interest form and the nomination form, which are mandatory requirements for any aspirant seeking to contest under the APC platform. Ganduje emphasized that while the endorsement is clear, the governor must still complete and submit the forms in line with the party’s established guidelines and procedures.
The development signals a strategic effort by APC stakeholders in Kano to consolidate support around a single candidate for the governorship race, potentially avoiding internal divisions that have previously affected party cohesion. Political observers note that such early endorsements are often aimed at strengthening party unity and projecting stability ahead of competitive elections.
In addition to the endorsement of Governor Yusuf, the stakeholders also turned their attention to the national political landscape. During the meeting, party leaders unanimously adopted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the APC’s sole presidential candidate for the next election cycle.
The motion to adopt Tinubu was moved by Rabiu Sulaiman Bichi, a prominent party figure, and received overwhelming support from members present. The unanimous decision reflects continued loyalty to the president within the Kano APC and signals the state chapter’s alignment with the national leadership of the party.
Despite the clear endorsements for both the governorship and presidential positions, party leaders were quick to clarify that not all aspirants would benefit from similar arrangements. The stakeholders explicitly ruled out the possibility of automatic tickets for other political offices, stressing that candidates for remaining positions would emerge through established internal mechanisms.
According to party officials, these mechanisms will largely rely on consensus-building processes, a system often employed within the APC to manage competition and maintain internal harmony. The approach allows party leaders and stakeholders to negotiate and agree on candidates, rather than relying solely on direct primaries.
This dual strategy—endorsing key candidates while leaving other positions open to consensus—appears designed to balance unity with inclusiveness. It provides room for broader participation among aspirants while ensuring that the party’s most critical tickets are secured by candidates deemed widely acceptable.
Earlier in the meeting, the Kano State APC Chairman, Umar Haruna Doguwa, shed light on the party’s initial plans regarding the presidential ticket. He revealed that the state chapter had intended to purchase nomination forms for President Tinubu as a demonstration of support, similar to the gesture extended to Governor Yusuf.
“We wanted to buy a form for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from Kano,” Doguwa explained. “But we saw that some other people bought before us all the same.”
His remarks suggest that multiple groups within the party had independently moved to express support for the president, highlighting the widespread backing Tinubu continues to enjoy among APC members across different regions.
The Kano stakeholders’ meeting is seen as a significant moment in the party’s preparations for upcoming elections, particularly in a politically influential state like Kano. As one of Nigeria’s most populous states, Kano plays a crucial role in shaping electoral outcomes, making the decisions of its political actors highly consequential.
Analysts say the endorsement of Governor Yusuf and President Tinubu could set the tone for similar moves in other states, as party leaders seek to present a united front. However, the insistence on internal processes for other positions indicates that the APC is also mindful of the need to manage competing interests within its ranks.
As the political season gathers momentum, attention is expected to shift toward how the party implements its consensus arrangements and whether dissenting voices will emerge. For now, the Kano APC appears to have charted a clear course, combining early endorsements with structured processes aimed at maintaining cohesion.
The coming months will likely test the strength of these decisions, as aspirants, stakeholders, and voters alike respond to the evolving political landscape.
