By Umar Idris Shuaibu, Kano
Recent commentaries on the possible defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have reignited intense political debate across the state. While some analyses argue that such a move could weaken President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political arithmetic in Kano, a critical factor often understated is the enduring influence of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the undisputed leader of the APC in Kano State.
Dr. Ganduje’s political relevance in Kano is neither accidental nor fleeting. As a two-term governor, former Deputy Governor, and now the immediate past National Chairman of the APC and Chairperson of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Ganduje commands a vast, structured, and disciplined political following that cuts across wards, local governments, and senatorial districts. His political base is institutional, not sentimental, built on years of grassroots mobilisation, governance experience, and party loyalty.
Contrary to claims that APC supporters in Kano remain irreparably bitter over past political contests, Ganduje has consistently demonstrated the capacity to manage post-election grievances and reassemble party structures after defeat. Following the 2023 elections, it was Ganduje’s leadership that prevented the APC from fragmenting in Kano, maintaining cohesion among stakeholders, lawmakers, and party faithful at a time when political emotions were at their peak. This ability to stabilise the party remains central to APC’s survival and future competitiveness in the state.
More importantly, Ganduje’s leadership offers President Tinubu a tested political framework in Kano—one anchored on structure rather than speculation. While the Kwankwasiyya movement thrives largely on personal loyalty to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the APC under Ganduje operates on party ideology, institutional memory, and political continuity. This distinction matters significantly in electoral calculations, especially in a politically complex state like Kano.
On the sensitive issues often cited as obstacles ranging from trader grievances to the emirate question, Ganduje’s political strength lies in his deep understanding of Kano’s socio-cultural balance. As governor, he navigated these delicate fault lines with caution, ensuring that political decisions did not entirely alienate major blocs. His experience places him in a better position to manage reconciliations, negotiate compromises, and neutralise tensions than any sudden political realignment driven by short-term interests.
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Furthermore, Ganduje’s relationship with key APC figures in Kano, including Senator Barau Jibrin and other party stalwarts, has largely been characterised by strategic accommodation rather than rivalry. This internal balance is crucial. Without Ganduje’s coordinating role, the APC risks internal contradictions; with him, the party retains a unifying figure capable of harmonising diverse ambitions under a common platform.
In essence, any discussion of APC’s future in Kano that downplays Ganduje’s role misses the political reality on the ground. Whether or not Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf defects, the APC’s true electoral strength in Kano rests on Ganduje’s leadership, organisational depth, and loyal followership. He remains the political anchor capable of translating President Tinubu’s national strategy into workable local outcomes.
As Kano’s political landscape continues to evolve, one fact remains constant: Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is not a peripheral actor in the APC’s Kano equation; he is its central pillar. Any political arithmetic that excludes this reality risks misreading Kano entirely.