Senior figures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State have issued a strong warning ahead of the 2027 governorship race.
The warning followed reports of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the APC.
According to them, the party risks losing key supporters if Senator Barau Jibrin is denied the governorship ticket.
While party leaders welcomed the governor, they insisted that his entry must not disrupt existing political arrangements within the APC.
Speaking on the development, APC chieftain, AbdulMajid ÆŠanbilki said party loyalists would not tolerate any attempt to sideline Senator Barau, who is currently the Deputy President of the Senate. He stated that APC members who built the party in Kano would resist what he described as political injustice.
Ɗanbilki explained that Governor Yusuf’s move into the APC does not automatically make him the party’s governorship candidate for 2027. He noted that the governor would face intense internal competition if he seeks the ticket, warning that excluding Senator Barau could push APC stakeholders to support a rival political bloc.
According to him, many party faithful may align with the Kwankwasiyya movement and back a candidate supported by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to challenge the governor in the next election.
ÆŠanbilki described Senator Barau as one of the pillars of the APC in Kano, saying the senator has played a major role in funding party activities and sustaining its structure over the years. He added that long-time members would not allow newcomers to override those sacrifices.
He further stressed that only Senator Barau can calm tensions within the party. According to him, unless the senator personally directs his supporters to step aside, APC loyalists are prepared to mobilise across wards and local governments to oppose any decision they consider unfair.
Ɗanbilki also accused some political actors of attempting to hijack the APC structure in Kano following Governor Yusuf’s entry. He said such actions could divide the party and weaken its chances in 2027. However, He maintained that unity can only be achieved through an open and transparent primary process that respects party elders and founding members.
