Kano APC power brokers narrow dep gov race amid political calculations

Fresh political manoeuvring is shaping the search for a new deputy governor in Kano, as key stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have pruned the list of contenders to three names, reflecting a delicate balance of experience, acceptability, and political risk.

At a high-level meeting held last week Saturday, party leaders submitted the nominees to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for consideration, signaling a shift from earlier informal alignments toward a more structured consensus-building process.

The meeting, chaired by former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, brought together influential figures including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Senator Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, among other stakeholders.

The three nominees presented are former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Kabiru Alhassan Rurum; former Commissioner for Local Government, Murtala Sule Garo; and Managing Director of the Hadejia–Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Rabiu Suleiman Bichi.

The development marked a departure from earlier speculation that had centered on the emergence of the State Assembly Speaker, Jibril Isma’il Falgore, and Garo as front-runners.

Sources familiar with the deliberations said the process exposed underlying political considerations, with Governor Yusuf reportedly leaning toward Rurum, who is seen as a broadly acceptable figure across party lines and geopolitical zones.

“Rurum’s experience and grassroots appeal stood out during discussions. There is a sense he can stabilise the political equation,” a senior party source disclosed.
Rurum, currently representing Rano, Kibiya and Bunkure Federal Constituency, is widely regarded as a seasoned legislator with strong political networks, particularly in Kano South.

However, the path to consensus remains complex. Some stakeholders reportedly raised concerns over Bichi’s limited grassroots structure, questioning his ability to mobilise effectively across the state’s diverse political landscape.

Garo’s candidacy also attracted scrutiny, with insiders pointing to his ongoing corruption case involving alleged financial mismanagement of local government funds. Though the matter is yet to be resolved in court, sources said it introduced a layer of political sensitivity into the decision-making process.

Despite the consultations, the final decision rests with the governor, in line with constitutional provisions that empower him to nominate a deputy governor, subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kano State Government has yet to issue an official statement on the next step, leaving the political field open as consultations continue behind closed doors.