JUST IN: Kano APC Crisis Ends as Gwarzo Withdraws Senate Bid, Backs Barau Jibrin

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has successfully mediated a political reconciliation between two prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) figures in Kano North, ending weeks of internal rivalry and reshaping the contest ahead of the next election cycle.

The peace meeting, held on Tuesday night at the Kano Government House, brought together former Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, and Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, who had been divided over the Kano North senatorial ticket.

Governor Yusuf Brokers Peace Deal Between Gwarzo and Barau in Kano APC

The outcome of the meeting was confirmed in an official statement issued on Wednesday by the Director General of Media and Publicity at the Kano Government House, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

According to the statement, the reconciliation ended with Gwarzo voluntarily withdrawing from the senatorial race and declaring full support for Senator Barau Jibrin as the consensus APC candidate for Kano North.

The development is seen as a major step toward stabilising the APC structure in the district, where internal competition and factional disagreements had raised concerns about party unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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The high-level meeting was attended by key political stakeholders including Deputy Governor Murtala Sule Garo, former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations Abubakar Kabir Bichi, and Kano APC Chairman Umar Haruna Doguwa, alongside other senior party figures.

Party insiders described the intervention by Governor Yusuf as a strategic move aimed at reducing political tension and strengthening cohesion within the APC’s Kano North structure, which remains one of the most competitive senatorial districts in the state.

Sources at the meeting revealed that discussions focused on party unity, zoning considerations, and the need to avoid a divided front that could weaken the APC’s chances in the forthcoming elections.

Following the resolution, Gwarzo reportedly pledged to work with party stakeholders to ensure victory for the APC, describing his withdrawal as a sacrifice for collective progress and political stability within the party.

Senator Barau Jibrin, who currently serves as Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, commended Gwarzo for his decision, describing it as a gesture of statesmanship that would strengthen the APC’s electoral prospects in Kano North.

Political analysts say the development could significantly reshape the balance of power within the APC in Kano State, especially as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections.

Kano North senatorial district, which covers local government areas including Bichi, Gwarzo, Dambatta, and Karaye, has long been one of the most politically contested zones in the state.

Observers note that the reconciliation may also signal broader efforts to reduce factional disputes within the APC in Kano, as stakeholders push for a united front ahead of the next general elections.

JUST IN: Kano APC Crisis Ends as Gwarzo Withdraws Senate Bid, Backs Barau Jibrin

Makinde to Officially Declare 2027 Presidential Bid at Ibadan Mega Rally

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is expected to formally declare his 2027 presidential ambition on Thursday, May 14, during a major political gathering scheduled to hold at the historic Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The event, tagged “Unity Mega Rally Ibadan 2026,” is being widely seen as the official launch of Makinde’s anticipated bid for Nigeria’s presidency, as well as a strategic unveiling of a broader political coalition involving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), and several political actors aligned with the governor’s growing national influence.

Sources familiar with the development revealed that preparations for the rally have intensified across Oyo State and parts of the South-West amid increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Grassroots mobilisers, youth organisations, political associates, and loyalists of the governor are reportedly coordinating support structures in anticipation of what many analysts describe as a major turning point in Nigeria’s opposition politics.

Political observers believe the latest moves form part of a larger strategy aimed at strengthening grassroots political networks across Oyo State and beyond while consolidating Makinde’s influence within the national opposition camp.

The development comes at a time when unresolved internal crises within the PDP continue to fuel uncertainty over the party’s future ahead of the next presidential election.

According to insiders, consultations among political stakeholders have intensified in recent weeks as several party loyalists and influential figures explore alternative political structures and coalition arrangements.

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Thursday’s rally is expected to attract political stakeholders, traditional leaders, community figures, youth groups, civil society organisations, and supporters from different parts of the country who identify with Makinde’s governance style and political direction.

Although Governor Makinde has not officially confirmed his intention to contest the presidency, support groups and close political allies have continued mounting pressure on him to formally join the race.

The governor has also made several political moves in recent months that analysts say point toward a broader national ambition.

Earlier this year, Makinde directed political appointees and elected office holders interested in contesting the 2027 elections to openly declare their ambitions and begin consultations within the PDP structure.

In April, the Oyo governor hosted a high-level opposition summit in Ibadan attended by prominent opposition figures and stakeholders discussing strategies for building a united political front ahead of 2027.

While addressing participants at the summit, Makinde maintained that the gathering was focused on strengthening democracy and deepening national development rather than targeting specific political opponents.

The choice of Mapo Hall for Thursday’s declaration is also considered politically symbolic due to the venue’s long-standing historical significance in Oyo State politics and governance.

Political analysts believe the rally could provide the clearest indication yet of Makinde’s political direction and possible coalition alignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Although it remains unclear whether the Oyo governor will eventually contest solely under the PDP or align with a broader opposition coalition, discussions surrounding possible alliances and power-sharing arrangements are said to be gaining momentum among opposition stakeholders nationwide.

The expected declaration is already generating fresh debate within Nigeria’s political space as opposition leaders intensify efforts to build a formidable platform capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC in the next general election.

Makinde to Officially Declare 2027 Presidential Bid at Ibadan Mega Rally

Kwankwaso Rejects Proposed US Sanctions Over Sharia Law, Blames Political Enemies

Former Kano State Governor and prominent National Democratic Coalition (NDC) figure, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has rejected moves in the United States Congress seeking sanctions against him over alleged religious freedom violations linked to the implementation of Sharia law in Kano State.

Kwankwaso, who recently aligned with the emerging National Democratic Coalition (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, described the allegations as a politically motivated campaign designed to tarnish his international reputation at a critical moment in Nigeria’s evolving opposition politics.

The former Minister of Defence spoke during an interview on ARISE Television’s “Prime Time” programme, where he claimed that enemies within Nigeria were responsible for pushing his name before American lawmakers.

“My name was submitted by our enemies here in this country to the US Congress,” Kwankwaso stated while reacting to reports surrounding the proposed sanctions.

The controversy comes amid growing speculation over Kwankwaso’s role within the opposition coalition and reports that he is being considered as a possible running mate to former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, under the NDC platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

At the centre of the controversy is the proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, a bill currently before the US Congress seeking sanctions against individuals and organisations accused of involvement in serious violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.

If passed into law, the legislation could empower the US government to impose visa bans, freeze assets, and apply other diplomatic sanctions against persons named in the bill.

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Among those reportedly listed are Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and groups identified by US lawmakers as Fulani ethnic militias.

American lawmakers backing the bill cited increasing concerns over sectarian violence, attacks on worship centres, alleged religious persecution, and the inability of Nigerian authorities to bring perpetrators to justice.

Responding to the allegations, Kwankwaso defended the implementation of Sharia law in Kano State, insisting that the decision reflected the democratic wishes of the people at the time.

He explained that after Zamfara State introduced full Sharia law in 1999, pressure mounted across northern Nigeria for other governors to adopt similar reforms.

According to Kwankwaso, clerics, community leaders, lawmakers, and large sections of the Kano population strongly demanded the implementation of the legal system.

The former governor said he initially attempted to carefully study the implications of the policy before signing the bill into law, but public pressure became overwhelming.

Kwankwaso further argued that even if he had withheld assent, the Kano State House of Assembly possessed constitutional powers that could still have allowed the legislation to become law.

He expressed surprise that a political and constitutional decision taken more than two decades ago is now being interpreted internationally as evidence of extremism.

Kwankwaso also alleged that many of the same political actors who once accused him of delaying the implementation of Sharia law are now allegedly portraying him negatively before foreign authorities.

Political observers believe the controversy may further complicate ongoing coalition discussions within the opposition camp as major political figures position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.

The proposed US legislation remains under congressional review and has not yet become law. However, analysts say the development signals increasing international scrutiny over issues relating to human rights in Nigeria, religious freedom, and sectarian violence.

Kwankwaso Rejects Proposed US Sanctions Over Sharia Law, Blames Political Enemies