A major political shift has emerged in Kano State ahead of the 2027 elections as seven senatorial aspirants under the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Kano Central have voluntarily withdrawn from the race and endorsed former governor Ibrahim Shekarau.
The decision followed a lengthy reconciliation meeting convened in Abuja by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, aimed at fostering unity within the party and strengthening its electoral chances.
The affected aspirants — including Usman Bala Mohammed, Sha’aban Sharada, Muhammad Zango, Danyaro Yakasai, Abbas Abbas, Garba Abubakar, and Shehu Isa Driver — said the move was taken voluntarily after consultations, stressing that it was in the interest of peace, party cohesion, and the political future of Kano.
One of the aspirants, Usman Bala Mohammed, explained that after extensive deliberations with party stakeholders, all contestants agreed to step down in favour of Shekarau, describing the decision as a collective effort to strengthen APC’s chances at all levels of governance.
Another aspirant, Sha’aban Sharada, also confirmed that the decision was made willingly without any form of pressure, adding that all parties involved were united in their goal of delivering strong support for APC candidates in 2027, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the state governor, and other party flagbearers.
He further expressed confidence that Kano would play a decisive role in the upcoming elections, pledging overwhelming support for the party on election day.
Reacting to the development, Shekarau commended Governor Yusuf for facilitating reconciliation, while appreciating the aspirants for stepping down in his favour. He assured that all stakeholders would be carried along in a united front going forward, describing the move as a step toward stronger party cohesion.
Governor Yusuf, in his remarks, said the outcome reflects the unity and political maturity within Kano, noting that the focus remains the collective progress of the state rather than individual ambitions. He expressed optimism that APC would record a strong performance in the 2027 elections, citing growing unity within its ranks.
Shekarau, who served as Kano governor between 2003 and 2011 and later as Minister of Education, recently rejoined APC after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in April, a move that has continued to reshape the state’s political landscape.
The latest development is being viewed as a significant boost for APC’s internal stability and electoral strategy ahead of 2027.
