2027: Former Kano Gov. Shekarau emerges consensus senatorial candidate

Six aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have withdrawn from the race for the Kano Central senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections and have thrown their support behind former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau.

The decision was made during a high-level meeting convened by Governor Abba Yusuf in Abuja on Sunday, which reportedly lasted for several hours.

The aspirants—Usman Bala, Sha’aban Sharada, Muhammad Zango, Danyaro Yakasai, Abbas Sani Abbas, and Shehu Isa Driver—announced they were stepping down in the interest of unity and peace in Kano State. They said their collective endorsement of Shekarau was aimed at fostering political harmony and ensuring stability in the state as the 2027 elections approach.

Governor Yusuf’s special assistant on social media, Salisu Kosawa, confirmed the arrangement in a Facebook post, writing: “His Excellency the Governor of Kano State H.E Abba Kabir Yusuf has led a meeting with the candidates running for the Kano Central senatorial seat under the APC, where they reached one position with the contestant, Mal. Ibrahim Shekarau, back.”

Shekarau, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in April, has received backing from key political figures in the state. The former governor announced his move at a gathering at his residence in Kano, alongside PDP chieftain Senator Bello Gwarzo, in the presence of loyalists and supporters. During the announcement, Shekarau sought the opinions of those present, who gave unanimous approval to the defection, signaling broad support for his decision.

Shekarau served as the governor of Kano State from 2003 to 2011 and also held the position of Minister of Education from 2014 to 2015.