Shekarau, Barau Secure Tickets as Gov Yusuf’s Peace Moves Strengthen APC

Former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and Senator Kawu Sumaila

Shekarau, Barau Secure Tickets as Gov Yusuf’s Peace Moves Strengthen APC

Kano, Nigeria – Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has successfully intervened to resolve the political dispute between Senator Kawu Sumaila, who represents Kano South, and Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, member of the House of Representatives for the Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Federal Constituency. The high-stakes reconciliation came just after the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state announced the conclusion of its senatorial and House of Representatives primary elections for the 2027 general elections.

The governor summoned a high-level meeting that brought the two influential political figures together, leading to a public declaration of peace. Speaking shortly after the reconciliation, Senator Sumaila described the disagreement as a misunderstanding and the “handiwork of Satan,” emphasizing that both men have now forgiven each other and forgotten their differences. “We are one family, and what unites us is more than politics; we have family ties and other relationships beyond imagination. What happened was a misunderstanding, and we have resolved the differences, and it is indeed the devil’s work,” the lawmaker stated.

In his remarks, Honorable Rurum confirmed that the dispute had been fully settled and that they had now reunited as one family, pledging to work together more closely than ever before. Rurum also expressed profound gratitude to Governor Yusuf for his timely and significant efforts in bringing lasting peace between them. The meeting was attended by high-profile stakeholders, including Deputy Governor Murtala Sule Garo, APC Ex-Officio Alhaji Muhammad Jamu, APC Chairman Umar Haruna Doguwa, Senator Kawu Sumaila, and Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum. Governor Yusuf’s intervention is widely seen as a strategic move to ensure unity and victory for the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Following the peace pact, the two leaders invited their supporters to attend the affirmation of Senator Kawu Sumaila as the APC senatorial candidate for Kano South, which was scheduled for Monday, May 18, 2026. The reconciliation is expected to calm political tensions in the southern part of the state, where both politicians command significant followings.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has officially concluded its primary elections. In a significant display of party discipline, 20 out of the 24 House of Representatives seats were decided by consensus, while direct primaries were held for the remaining four constituencies where stakeholders failed to reach agreements. The party’s spokesperson in the state, Auwalu Soja, disclosed that the consensus arrangement enabled most serving lawmakers to secure return tickets without contention. Those returned through consensus include prominent House leaders such as Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Abubakar Kabir Bichi (Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation), and Abdulmumin Jibrin (former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation).

Other lawmakers who secured tickets include Hamisu Chidari, who clinched a third-term ticket for the Dambatta Federal Constituency; Mustapha Bala Maigidan Ruwa for Dawakin Kudu/Warawa; and Sulaiman Mukthar Ishaq for Madobi/Garun Mallam. Additional winners include Shehu Muhammad for Fagge Federal Constituency, Abdullahi Muazu Baban Ganduje for Kabo/Gwarzo Federal Constituency, Idris Dankawu for Kumbotso, Rabiu Ibn Yusuf for Takai/Sumaila, and Mohammad Nalaraba for Gezawa/Gabasawa Federal Constituency.

In one of the few constituencies that proceeded to a direct primary, former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, failed in his bid to return to the National Assembly. Lawan, who completed a five-year prison sentence for bribery in 2024 and received a presidential pardon from Bola Tinubu in October 2025, was defeated by the incumbent lawmaker, Yusuf Ahmad Badau, in a keenly contested primary for the Bagwai/Shanono Federal Constituency. Lawan, once nicknamed “Mr Integrity,” chaired the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the multi-billion naira fuel subsidy fraud in 2012. His political career collapsed when billionaire oil magnate Femi Otedola accused him of demanding a $3 million bribe, leading to his conviction and imprisonment. Under Section 107 of the Nigerian Constitution, convicted individuals are barred from contesting elections for 10 years post-conviction, but President Tinubu’s pardon wiped away his legal disqualifications. Despite this, the voters and party delegates in Bagwai/Shanono preferred the incumbent.

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Confirming the development, Auwalu Soja noted that the primary elections were conducted peacefully across the state without any major security challenges. “The exercise was conducted in a mature and peaceful manner. There were no security challenges throughout the process,” he stated.

Earlier reconciliation efforts by Governor Yusuf also paved the way for smooth senatorial primaries. Both APC senators, Barau I. Jibrin for Kano North and Kawu Sumaila for Kano South, retained their tickets following reconciliation talks. Former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau was also handed the party’s ticket to contest for Kano Central after seven aspirants stepped down for him. The aspirants who sacrificed their political ambitions include Usman Bala, former Chief of Staff to Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; Shaaban Ibrahim Sharada, former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari; Danyaro Yakasai; Abbas Sani Abbas, former commissioner under Ganduje; Abdulfatah Zango; and Shehu Isa Driver. The resolution in favour of Shekarau was reached after a high-level reconciliation meeting convened by Governor Yusuf in Abuja. However, Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura, a major contender in the race, was notably absent from the meeting.

Similarly, Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin retained his ticket for Kano North following a consensus agreement with former aspirant Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo (ATM) , the immediate-past Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, who stepped down in the interest of party unity. Gwarzo announced his withdrawal after a series of closed-door meetings involving Governor Yusuf, former APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and other key stakeholders. Gwarzo stated that the move was made “in the interest of unity and stability within the party ahead of future elections,” adding that “preserving peace within the APC is more important than personal ambition.” Responding to the development, Senator Barau commended Governor Yusuf, Dr. Ganduje, and other stakeholders for facilitating the reconciliation, saying the outcome would further strengthen the APC in Kano.

Speaking on the overall primary process, the State APC Chairman, Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa, urged supporters to put past disagreements behind them and work together to secure victory for the party at all levels. He also praised Governor Yusuf for his foresight and leadership in facilitating the reconciliation processes across the state. With all major disputes resolved and candidates now selected, the APC in Kano is poised to present a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections.