Seven aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have stepped down from the 2027 Kano Central Senatorial District race and endorsed former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, as the party’s consensus candidate.

The decision was reached after hours of deliberations at a meeting convened by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in Abuja.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, the aspirants — including Usman Bala Mohammed, Sha’aban Sharada, Muhammad Zango, Danyaro Yakasai, Abbas Abbas, Garba Abubakar, and Shehu Isa Driver — said the move was driven by their desire to promote peace and unity in Kano State.

One of the aspirants, Usman Bala Mohammed, explained that the decision was taken both individually and collectively in the interest of the APC’s success at the national, state, and constituency 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 said.

“This is in the best interest of the good people of Kano State, our great party APC, and Nigeria as a whole,” Mohammed added.

Another aspirant, Sha’aban Sharada, dismissed any suggestion of coercion, describing the decision as 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 Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, and our other candidates,” Sharada said.

According to him, “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.”

In his remarks, Shekarau commended Governor Yusuf for facilitating the reconciliation and expressed gratitude to the aspirants for their support.

“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 I also thank my fellow aspirants who have willingly and voluntarily withdrawn in my favour,” Shekarau said.

“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.

The development is being viewed as a significant boost for APC unity in Kano ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Governor Yusuf, while speaking on the outcome of the meeting, said Kano remains politically united despite its vibrant political environment.

“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,” he said.

According to the governor, the APC is optimistic about securing victory in the 2027 elections.

“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,” he stated.

“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 further expressed confidence that the party would record a sweeping victory in the state during the elections.

“By the grace of Allah, by election day Kano will deliver overwhelming support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the senators, members of the House of Representatives, the governor, and all State House of Assembly candidates,” Yusuf added.

The former Kano State governor defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in April.

Shekarau had announced his move at his residence in Kano, alongside a PDP chieftain, Senator Bello Gwarzo, during a gathering attended by supporters and loyalists.

Addressing the crowd, the former governor said the decision was reached after careful consideration of the available political options.

He sought the opinion of those present, asking if they supported the move, and was met with unanimous approval, signalling collective endorsement of the defection.

Shekarau was the governor of the state from 2003 to 2011. He also served as a minister of education from 2014 to 2015. (Channels TV)

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