In 2019, Kano state was a battle ground for both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the general election. In fact, the PDP was in a slim lead but could not be declared winner, because the number of cancelled votes was higher than the difference in lead votes scored between the two leading candidates: Abba Yusuf (PDP) and Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of the APC.
Ganduje had won his first term under APC with the support of his predecessor and benefactor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso. Shortly afterwards, Kwankwaso returned to PDP and during the 2019 governorship election, Ganduje battled to defeat the PDP led by him. However, since Ganduje’s reelection, the APC has gained a stronger hold of the soul of Kano state and has strategised effectively on how to retain the party’s victory in 2023.
As at now, the PDP in Kano state is weakened grossly as Kwankwaso, with his supporters, has dumped the umbrella party to float a new political group called The National Movement (TNM). As it is, the APC has a brighter chance well ahead of the PDP and the third force by Kwankwaso.
An array of gubernatorial aspirants already indicated their interest with their posters all out across the state. Most of them are running in APC. They are also consulting widely with key stakeholders regarding their ambitions. But Ganduje has not made his choice public, even when journalists asked him. Ganduje who is serving his second term as governor of the state on the platform of the APC, will bow out in 2023 after the mandatory eight years of two terms.
The contenders
Barau Jibrin
A former member of the House of Representatives, Barau is a serving senator in his second term. He is from Kano North Senatorial district and chairs the Senate Committee on Appropriation. Barau, who is running in APC, is seen as one of the top contenders with experience and resources to battle for the office.
Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna
Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, the deputy governor of the state, is a former Chairman of Nassarawa Local Government Area. He also served as Commissioner for Agriculture between 2013-2015 and 2015-2018 when he was appointed Ganduje’s deputy, following the resignation of the then deputy governor Professor Hafiz Abubakar. He appears to be banking on his boss (Ganduje) to endorse him.
Muhammad Ibrahim Little
Little is the leading governorship aspirant in PDP. He has even picked the PDP form and declared publicly to run for the office of governor. In 2003, Little lost the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) ticket to Malam Ibrahim Shekarau. He migrated to contest on the platform of Peoples Redemption Party but lost his deposit to Shekarau who became governor of Kano state that year.
Murtala Sule Garo
Garo, who holds the title of Yaki sai da Kwamanda, is the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs and is running in APC. He is said to be enjoying the support of majority of local government chairmen across the 44 local government councils of the state. There are rumours that he also has the backing of the governor’s wife.
Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya
Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, a former governor of Kano State under the military dispensation of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida between 1992 and 1993. He has served as Senator for four consecutive terms.
Abdul Salam Abdulkarim Zaura
Abdul Salam Abdulkarim Zaura is popular as AA Zaura. He is not new in Kano politics as he contested for the governorship under Green Party of Nigeria (GPN) but later defected to APC in full force with the ambition to succeed Ganduje. He is a businessman and political godson of APC leader Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
Kabiru Alhassan Rurum
A former Speaker of Kano State House of Assembly who recommended the dethronement of Muhammadu Sanusi as Emir of Kano, Rurum enjoys the support of APC stakeholders in Kano South who are of the opinion that power should be rotated to their zone this time.
Inuwa Waya
Waya, a lawyer, has worked with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). He has been making serious consultation since joining the guber race.
Shaaban Ibrahim Sharada
A former personal assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Broadcast Media, Sharada is running in APC. He is a member of the federal House of Representatives who has chaired the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence.