Seven aspirants seeking the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the Kano Central Senatorial District have withdrawn from the race and endorsed former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, as the party’s consensus candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision followed a high-level political meeting held in Abuja and convened by Abba Kabir Yusuf, where party leaders and aspirants deliberated for several hours on the future of the APC in Kano State.
The aspirants who stepped down include Usman Mohammed, Sha’aban Sharada, Muhammad Zango, Danyaro Yakasai, Abbas Abbas, Garba Abubakar and Shehu Isa Driver.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the aspirants explained that their collective decision was aimed at strengthening unity within the party and ensuring political stability in Kano State ahead of the next election cycle.
One of the aspirants, Usman Mohammed, said the withdrawal was made after extensive consultations and was driven by the broader interest of the APC at the national and state levels.
“His Excellency, the Governor of Kano State, convened all the aspirants for a consensus meeting.
”After thorough discussions and consultations, we have unanimously agreed to withdraw our aspirations for the Kano Central Senatorial District in favour of our elder brother, leader, and former governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau,” he stated.
Mohammed added that the agreement was reached to protect the interest of Kano residents, strengthen the APC and promote unity within the political landscape of the state.
“This is in the best interest of the good people of Kano State, our great party APC, and Nigeria as a whole,” he added.
Another aspirant, Sha’aban Sharada, dismissed suggestions that the aspirants were pressured into stepping down, insisting that the move was voluntary and carefully considered.
“We did this because of His Excellency, the Governor, and we have agreed to work together to ensure that in 2027, we deliver massive support for President Bola Tinubu, Governor Abba Yusuf, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, and our other candidates,” Sharada said.
According to him, the party remains confident of securing overwhelming support across Kano State during the elections.
“By the grace of God, before 12 o’clock on election day, Kano will be among the states that deliver the strongest support for the President,” he added.
In his remarks, Shekarau commended Governor Yusuf for bringing the aspirants together and facilitating reconciliation within the party.
“I appreciate His Excellency for his foresight in bringing the aspirants together to broker peace.
”I also thank my fellow aspirants who have willingly and voluntarily withdrawn in my favour,” Shekarau said.
The former governor assured party members that the APC would remain united and inclusive as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
“We will embrace everybody. This is now one family, and we promise the President, the Governor, and all other candidates that Kano will deliver by the grace of God in 2027,” he added.
Political observers have described the development as a major boost for APC unity in Kano State, especially as the party seeks to consolidate its strength ahead of the next general elections.
Governor Yusuf, while reacting to the outcome of the meeting, said the agreement reflected the growing unity among political stakeholders in Kano despite the competitive nature of the state’s politics.
“We sat down and reached this consensus, and I feel highly elated. I feel happy because Kano is one.
”Now we are more united. Our concern is to ensure that Kano comes first before any individual,” the governor said.
He noted that the APC leadership had continued to work towards building a stronger political structure in the state since the party’s recent realignments.
“Since we rejoined the APC, we have been working towards that, although it is very difficult. This is democracy.
”Everybody wants to participate, and because the APC is one of the most vibrant parties not only in Nigeria but across the African continent, many people want to associate with it and exercise their democratic rights,” Yusuf stated.
The governor also praised the aspirants for showing maturity and prioritising the collective interest of the state over personal ambition.
“That is the main reason we organised this meeting, and I am happy. I must sincerely thank all of them.
”They have shown maturity and genuine concern for the people of Kano State. They want Nigeria to remain united, and they want Kano State to remain united,” he added.
Yusuf also expressed confidence that the APC would record a sweeping victory across Kano State during the 2027 polls.
“By the grace of Allah, by election day Kano will deliver overwhelming support for President Bola Tinubu, the senators, members of the House of Representatives, the governor, and all State House of Assembly candidates,” he said.
Shekarau recently returned to the All Progressives Congress after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party in April.
The former governor announced his defection during a political gathering at his residence in Kano, where supporters and loyalists endorsed the move after consultations.
Shekarau governed Kano State between 2003 and 2011 and later served as Nigeria’s Minister of Education from 2014 to 2015.
