Former local government chairmen in Kano State have adopted the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, as the sole candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 governorship race in the state.

The former LG chairmen, who served between 2019 and 2022 during the era of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as governor, adopted Senator Barau during a courtesy call to the National Assembly in Abuja on Wednesday.

A motion for the adoption of Senator Barau was moved by the former chairman of Rimin Gado Local Government Area, Barrister Dahiru Mannir Maigari, and seconded by the former chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon Baffa Mohammed Takai.

When the former chairman of Madobi LGA, Alhaji Mohammed Yahaya, put the motion to a vote, all the former chairmen unanimously approved it through a voice vote.

Two members of the Kano State House of Assembly, Hon Zubairu Hamza Masu (Sumaila) and Hon Garba Yau Gwarmai (Tsanyawa/Ghari), witnessed the event.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Malam Ismail Mudashir, after the voice vote, the local government chairmen appealed to Senator Barau to declare for the governorship race as soon as possible.

Former chairman of Gwale LGA, Alhaji Khalid Ishak Diso, informed the Deputy President that the people of Kano, especially at the grassroots, are eagerly awaiting his declaration.

“Kano people are waiting for you to declare for the governorship race. We recently organised an event, where we asked you to declare. You are yet to. The people of Kano are anxiously awaiting your declaration. When are you declaring? Please answer the call to serve our people,” he said.

Also, the former Chairman of ALGON, Baffa Mohammed Takai, who led his colleagues on the courtesy call, said they adopted Senator Barau in view of his outstanding performance in parliament, adding that his contributions to Kano’s development are immense.

“We are here to throw our weight behind you. We are 100 per cent with you. Insha’Allah, you will be the next governor of Kano State, come May 29, 2027. You have the capacity to address the challenges facing our state,” he said.

Responding, the Deputy President of the Senate thanked the former chairmen for their support, describing them as grassroots politicians.

“It’s indeed true that Kano was second to Lagos before, in terms of development, in terms of commerce and so on. Unfortunately, Kano is now trailing behind due to a lack of good leadership. Let us not live in denial. This is a fact that we must all work together to address in the interest of our people and state.

“I wish to assure you that by the grace of God, we will take bold steps to bring Kano back to its glorious days. We will succeed by the grace of God. We will always stand by the truth and for our people,” he said.

Meanwhile, stakeholders from Tsanyawa and Ghari LGAs of Kano State have also thrown their weight behind Senator Barau’s candidature during their visit to him on Wednesday.

A member of the Kano State House of Assembly, Hon Garba Yau Gwarmai (Tsanyawa/Ghari), moved the motion, seconded by Hon Aminu Yakanawa. A thunderous ovation from over 100 stakeholders in attendance followed the announcement of the endorsement.

Yakanawa told the Deputy President of the Senate that the people of the two local government areas are solidly behind him.

“By the grace of Allah SWT, you are the next governor of Kano State. Our people are solidly behind you, and we are committed to supporting you,” he said.

Responding, Senator Barau thanked them for the support, saying the massive support from all the people of the state is a signal of what will happen in 2027.

On the security challenges facing some parts of Tsanyawa and Shanono LGAs, he said, “We are not leaving any stone unturned in tackling this challenge. We are working underground to bring an end to it. We have taken all the necessary steps. It is not something that we go to radio stations to announce.” (The Sun)