Kano Central 2027: Garba Yusuf Seeks Ganduje, Shekarau’s Blessing as APC Race Intensifies
A leading aspirant for the Kano Central Senatorial seat, Malam Garba Yusuf Abubakar, has intensified consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections, meeting with former Kano State governors, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, to seek their support and political blessing for his ambition.
Garba Yusuf, who has recently been engaging fellow aspirants in peace-building visits, met the two All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwarts separately at their residences in Abuja, accompanied by key members of his campaign team and supporters.
Shekarau, a former governor, senator representing Kano Central and ex-Minister of Education, and Ganduje, also a former governor and immediate past National Chairman of the APC, are widely regarded as influential figures in Kano’s political landscape.
Speaking during the visits, Garba Yusuf commended both leaders for their roles as political mentors and role models, noting that he had served under their administrations at different times.
“I have come to seek your blessings and guidance. You have both played significant roles in shaping my career and public service experience,” he said, pledging loyalty to the APC and commitment to peaceful, issue-based politics.
He assured that his ambition would be pursued in the interest of the party, Kano State and Nigeria, emphasising unity, economic development and peaceful coexistence.
In their separate responses, Ganduje and Shekarau reportedly welcomed the aspirant and assured him of their support, while encouraging him to sustain his consultative approach and commitment to party discipline.
Garba Yusuf’s consultations come on the heels of his formal declaration to contest the Kano Central Senatorial seat under the APC, a move that has triggered growing political mobilisation across the district.
Announcing his ambition at a rally in Kano, the aspirant said his decision was influenced by sustained pressure from supporters, particularly the Tinubu Support Group (TSG), which had been mobilising for his candidacy.
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“After careful reflection, I accepted to contest. I urge all my supporters to engage in politics without bitterness or insults,” he said, while also pledging to support whoever emerges as the APC candidate if he does not secure the ticket.
The Campaign Director, Muntari Ishaq Yakasai, noted that the APC has ruled out automatic tickets, stressing that Garba Yusuf’s aspiration is driven by conviction and grassroots demand.
He called on supporters to intensify mobilisation efforts, adding that campaign structures would soon be unveiled.
Yakasai also appealed to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to support the aspiration, citing the need for experienced representation at the National Assembly.
Similarly, the Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, Baffa Babba Dan-Agundi, described the backing of Garba Yusuf by the Tinubu Support Group as a recognition of his longstanding contributions to public service.
He highlighted the aspirant’s experience, having served as commissioner in multiple ministries under both Shekarau and Ganduje.
Political mobilisation has gathered pace across the 15 local government areas of Kano Central, with groups under the Garba Yusuf Abubakar Coordinating Committee holding consultations and rallying support.
At a stakeholders’ meeting in Gezawa Local Government Area, Abdulkadir Muhammad Kabara, a former Education Secretary in Kano Municipal and APC ward chairman in Tudun Wuzirci, said the endorsement of Garba Yusuf enjoys wide backing from clerics, grassroots mobilisers and social media influencers aligned with the Tinubu Support Group.
“This movement is united. For the senatorial seat, we have our candidate in Alhaji Garba Yusuf Abubakar, and we will support him to success,” he said, stressing the importance of party unity.
Profile and Outlook
Popularly known as Garba Izala, the aspirant is regarded as a seasoned administrator with experience spanning key ministries, including Information, Environment, Works and Housing, Finance, and Water Resources.
Observers say the ongoing consultations, endorsements and grassroots mobilisation signal an early build-up to what is expected to be a competitive APC primary in Kano Central, as political alignments begin to crystallise ahead of the 2027 elections.
By PRNigeria
