The political landscape in Kano State is witnessing another possible realignment as some prominent members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), particularly those associated with former Deputy Governor Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, consider returning to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The development followed a solidarity visit by members of Gawuna’s political team to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and his deputy, Murtala Sule Garo, on Tuesday night. The meeting is understood to have formed part of consultations ahead of a possible return to the APC.
The delegation was led by Muhammad Umar, a close associate of Gawuna, and included the NDC Vice Chairman in Kano State, Ali Datti Yako, Mansur Gawuna and Uba Mijinyawa, popularly known as Uba Danzainab. Other members of the group included Aminu Faruk, Sani Jibrin, Salisu Muhammad, Musa Indabo, Muhammad Bala, Hassan Abdullahi and Abdurrahman Muhammad.
The visit was disclosed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa, in a statement detailing the engagement between the political group and the state leadership.
Although the meeting was presented as a solidarity and development-focused engagement, the timing has generated fresh speculation about the political future of members of Gawuna’s camp, particularly as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
Speaking during the meeting, Umar said the delegation was interested in the progress of Kano State and wanted to contribute to initiatives that could improve the lives of residents.
He said the consultations were intended to create an avenue for the group to work with the state leadership and contribute to the development of Kano, while stressing that their interest was in supporting programmes considered beneficial to the people.
Yako also expressed support for the administration of Governor Yusuf, saying its efforts to transform the state were visible to residents. He described the visit as an expression of solidarity with the governor and his deputy and said the group remained interested in initiatives capable of advancing the interests of Kano residents.
The development is particularly significant because of Gawuna’s political history with both the APC and the current governor. Gawuna served as deputy governor under former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and was the APC candidate in the 2023 governorship election, which he lost to Yusuf, then the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The election result was subsequently challenged in court.
Gawuna later became the NDC candidate for Kano Central in the 2027 election cycle. His political associates are now reportedly considering a return to the APC, raising questions about the strength of the NDC structure in Kano and the possible impact of the move on the opposition party's preparations for the next election.
The situation also carries added political weight because Governor Yusuf himself has since moved to the APC. He defected from the NNPP to the ruling party in January 2026 and has subsequently secured the APC’s backing for his bid to seek another term in office.
For the APC, a successful return by members of Gawuna’s political structure could further strengthen its organisation in Kano ahead of 2027. For the NDC, however, the movement could represent a setback at a time when the party is attempting to build a strong opposition platform in the state.
For now, the reported return remains a potential political realignment rather than a completed defection. No formal defection ceremony has been announced, and the latest engagement appears to be part of ongoing consultations.
With political alliances across Kano continuing to shift ahead of the 2027 elections, the next steps by Gawuna and his associates will likely attract considerable attention as parties position themselves for what is expected to be a closely watched contest.
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