By Abba Anwar
Before the congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were conducted few weeks ago in Kano, as obtained across the nation, many people, including myself, thought, Kano state Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, could not successfully handle the situation.
Not because he had just joined the party (APC) from New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), at least from my estimation, but because he came and met a party that was in disarray, with enormous internal crisis, from left, right and centre.
As many believe that, he is new to internal party wrangling. As he came from where there was a centralized chain of command. Where loyalty has always been hundred percent. And where discipline, at least in the definition of the leader (jagora), is straight and observed.
Governor’s acceptance of the party leadership sharing formula, without any hesitation, was sighted with relief from all party camps. More so, where the governor sacrificed his upper percentage to old APC members. This is where he reversed his 60% to 40% and gave old APC 60% at his own will.
- 63% poverty consequences of Tinubu’s ill-defined economic policies, says ADC
- IWD: Bauchi, UNICEF lament denial of justice, basic rights to women
All those arrangements and show of commitment to his new party, were concluded days before Ward, Local Governments and state congresses. The assumption was, His Excellency, the governor could only be able to soundly manage his side of the party membership during the congresses. Whereas, old APC’s sharing formula amongst them would be a bit above average.
But to the chagrin of all, Governor Yusuf, managed to have successful conduct of congresses, from bottom to top in the state. In fact the way the congresses were conducted didn’t even remind all that, the governor was new entrant. The management of the congresses were largely commendable. Though, with some pockets of complaints in some places. But even at that, the governor was able to tame the frustrations and disappointments.
Unlike in many states, where their governors joined APC in recent times. In some of those states, there were close to two parallel party leaders at the state level. Their governors were not able to manage the ugly situations with vigor and determination. Kano case shows how skilful, if you like, the governor is.
People wish that, he applies similar skills, commitment and honesty while facing 2027. What further aided the governor to attain that height, was the true and genuine support he got from almost all APC heavyweights, whom he met when he joined the party. All the camps, within the party, saw reason in supporting the governor to deliver well in the election of party leaders in the state.
So long as the governor will understand the importance and the role of each and every heavyweight within the party, then his victory and that of the party is almost guaranteed. For example, while the support of His Excellency the Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau I Jibrin, CFR, is needed, for governor’s successful tenure, the support of His Excellency Murtala Sule Garo, is also needed. Their support is extremely important for re-election bid. No two ways about this. The same or similar goes to other important personalities within the party circle.
As governor used wisdom and support from others, to conduct successful congresses, I urge him to use similar wisdom in sitting with Barau and Garo for the benefit of his administration to rule well and for his reelection bid to yield fruits. I know the governor is quite aware of the challenges ahead. So selective interaction shouldn’t be in his shopping list.
Please let’s face it. With all the so-called political rivalry between Barau and Garo, I am yet to come across a single person, who confessed that, either of the duo asked him or her to go and castigate the other. I’m yet to see a person who can confess to have collected resources from Barau to go and castigate Garo. And vice versa. Show me someone who said Garo gave him a penny to go to any public platform and castigate Barau, I will show you a liar. So what are we talking about.
I urge governor Yusuf to kindly put to reality, the current APC slogan in the state, Kano First. His patriotism, belief and commitment to Kano First Agenda, I assumed, was what took him away from his political godfather, the former governor of Kano state, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso. So please and please Your Excellency, show to all that, you clearly understand the writing on the wall. Show to all that, you are really making sound preparation for 2027.
For APC National Headquarters, please look at how our governor managed the party to conduct successful congresses. His victory here spots some clue for his preparedness towards taking the party to greater height. We from Kano, need public commendation of the governor from the national body. Please make it before National Convention. Or you can acknowledge that at the Convention ground.
Unlike many other states, where their governors cross carpeted to APC, like Delta state of governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Akwa Ibom state of governor Umo Eno, Bayelsa state of governor Duoye Diri, Rivers state of Siminalayi Fubara, Plateau state of governor Caleb Mutfwang, Taraba state of governor Agbu Kefas, Adamawa state of governor Umaru Fintiri and Enugu state of governor Peter Mbah, Kano congresses have little crisis compared to all these states.
As a matter of fact, encouragement and appreciation, Kano state governor Yusuf, has every quality and qualifications to be publicly commended by the bigger APC from Abuja. With all the crisis within the party, long before he joined, he still made it possible to manage all cracking parts of the party. Yes there are issues here and there, yet Kano did better than other states where governors joined the party, ahead of 2027.
Anwar writes from Kano
Saturday, 14th March, 2026
