By Umar Idris Shuaibu
As political calculations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) finds itself navigating one of the most delicate moments in Kano State’s recent political history. With Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reportedly weighing a defection to the APC, the party’s capacity to manage expansion without internal disruption has come sharply into focus. At the centre of this evolving equation stands Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the immediate past National Chairman of the APC and current Chairperson of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), whose political relevance has become even more pronounced in this defining moment.
In a political climate increasingly shaped by shifting loyalties and transactional alliances, Ganduje represents a rare political asset, a leader whose influence is anchored in structure, institutional memory, and tested loyalty. His importance to the APC at this juncture is not symbolic. It is strategic. Any major political movement in Kano, particularly one involving a sitting governor, inevitably intersects with Ganduje’s longstanding role as the party’s chief stabilising force in the state.
Kano remains Nigeria’s most politically consequential state by population, and its alignment carries national implications. As such, Governor Yusuf’s potential entry into the APC is not merely a local affair but a national calculation requiring careful management. Integrating such a move demands credibility, restraint, and deep understanding of the party’s internal dynamics qualities that Ganduje has consistently demonstrated over the years.
Ganduje’s political strength is rooted in his successful stewardship of Kano as governor, during which the APC consolidated its grassroots dominance and demonstrated electoral resilience. That foundation did not erode with time; rather, it evolved into broader national relevance. His tenure as APC national chairman further positioned him as a custodian of party discipline, someone trusted to balance competing interests without compromising institutional order.
At a time when political defections often inflame internal tensions, Ganduje’s role becomes that of a bridge between old party loyalists and new entrants, between ambition and structure, and between Kano’s political past and its emerging realities. His approach, defined by dialogue rather than confrontation, offers the APC a pathway to accommodate new alliances without alienating existing stakeholders.
Equally significant is Ganduje’s loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC.
In moments when political actors recalibrated their positions for personal advantage, Ganduje remained consistent, reinforcing the trust placed in him by the party’s national leadership. That consistency now positions him as one of the few figures capable of managing sensitive negotiations around Yusuf’s reported defection without fracturing party cohesion in Kano.
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Beyond politics, Ganduje’s administrative relevance further strengthens his standing.
His appointment as FAAN Board Chair is widely viewed as recognition of his capacity to combine political insight with governance competence. It underscores the perception of him as a leader whose utility extends beyond elections into the realm of statecraft.
As Kano’s political landscape braces for possible realignment, the APC’s success will depend less on the optics of defection and more on how such a transition is managed.
In this context, Ganduje’s influence is indispensable. His deep familiarity with Kano’s political structures, coupled with his credibility within the APC hierarchy, makes him a critical anchor in ensuring that any expansion strengthens rather than destabilises the party.
Ultimately, political parties endure not merely by attracting new members but by preserving order, trust, and institutional discipline. As Governor Yusuf weighs his next move, the APC’s confidence rests in leaders who understand timing, balance, and loyalty.
In that equation, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is not just a political asset, he is a stabilising constant at a moment when Kano politics demands careful hands.