2027: Gawuna camp reportedly aligns with APC despite NDC ticket

There are fresh signs of political realignments in Kano State as there are claims that Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, who had been the Deputy Governor of Kano and an NDC senatorial candidate in the just concluded elections, is planning to join the APC party.

This happened after a delegation from Gawuna’s political allies paid a solidarity visit to Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and his Deputy, Murtala Sule Garo.

The visit was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

The delegation was led by Muhammad Badaru Umar, a close associate of Gawuna, and included NDC Kano State Vice Chairman, Ali Datti Yako; Mansur Isa Gawuna; Uba Tanko Mijinyawa, popularly known as Uba Danzainab; Aminu Umar Faruk; Sani Jibrin; Salisu Muhammad; Musa Sani Indabo; Muhammad Kabir Bala; Hassan Abba Abdullahi; and Abdurrahman Muhammad.

Speaking during the meeting, Umar said the delegation was driven by its commitment to the development of Kano State.

He said the engagement with Governor Yusuf and his deputy was part of consultations on how the group could contribute to the progress and development of the state.

Yako, who also addressed the gathering, commended the Yusuf administration and said residents of Kano were aware of what he described as the governor’s efforts to transform the state.

“Everyone knows that Governor Yusuf is working tirelessly to transform Kano State,” he said.

The visit has heightened speculation that Gawuna, a political ally of NDC vice presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso, could soon formally leave the opposition party for the APC, alongside members of his political structure.

Although no formal defection announcement had been made at the time of filing this report, the development has fuelled expectations of a significant political shift in Kano ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reacting to the development in a post on X on Wednesday, former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad said the NDC was increasingly facing difficulties in Kano.

“Last night, Dr. Gawuna’s team paid a solidarity visit to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ahead of their eventual defection,” Ahmad wrote.

The latest development comes days after Senator Rufai Sani Hanga, representing Kano Central Senatorial District, resigned his membership of the NDC.

Hanga announced his resignation in a letter dated August 3, 2026, addressed to the NDC Ward Chairman in Dakata Ward, Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

The senator said his decision followed “careful reflection and personal deliberation” as he sought to pursue other personal commitments and career paths.

“I am writing to formally notify you of my resignation from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), effective from today, 3rd August 2026,” Hanga stated in the letter.

He thanked the ward leadership and other party members for their support and cooperation during his membership of the NDC.

Hanga also directed the party to remove his name from its membership register and attached his official NDC membership card to the resignation letter.

His resignation came shortly after he met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, further fuelling speculation about possible political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.

Should Gawuna and his political allies eventually defect to the APC, the move could strengthen the ruling party’s political structure in Kano and further reshape the state’s opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 polls.

However, Gawuna’s reported defection remains subject to an official announcement by him or his political camp.