Pressure mounts on APC to grant Barau automatic ticket in Kano North

Political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections is beginning to gather momentum in Kano State, as a support group has called on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to adopt the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Ibrahim Jibrin, as its sole candidate for the Kano North Senatorial District.

The group, Voice of Kano North, said its position reflects growing agitation among stakeholders across the district who are keen on preserving what they describe as “strategic legislative advantage” and ongoing development tied to Barau’s tenure.

At a press briefing in Kano, the group’s spokesperson, Habibu Jibrin Yancibi, argued that subjecting the lawmaker to a competitive primary could disrupt continuity and slow down projects already underway in the senatorial zone.

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He said consultations across the eight local government areas in Kano North indicate broad-based support for Barau’s return to the Senate without contest, citing what he described as “visible and measurable gains” recorded in recent years.

According to Yancibi, Kano North stands at a critical point where consistency in representation at the national level is necessary to sustain federal presence and attract further investments.

“The district cannot afford a break in momentum,” he said, noting that Barau’s position in the Senate leadership has elevated the zone’s influence in national decision-making.

The group listed several projects it attributed to the lawmaker’s intervention, particularly in education and institutional development. These include the establishment of a Federal University of Science and Technology in Kabo, a Police College, an Immigration training institute in Bichi, and a Civil Defence Institute in Gwarzo.

Yancibi said such institutions have not only expanded access to education and security training but also created economic opportunities for residents.

Beyond institutional projects, the group highlighted ongoing infrastructure development, especially the Kano–Gwarzo–Dayi road project, which it said has attracted funding exceeding N30 billion. The road, when completed, is expected to boost trade, ease transportation, and strengthen connectivity within Kano State and the wider North-West region.

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On grassroots interventions, the group pointed to healthcare and agricultural support programmes, including the construction and upgrade of medical facilities, distribution of fertilisers and livestock to farmers, and installation of solar-powered streetlights in rural communities.

It maintained that such initiatives underscore the importance of continuity, warning that a change in representation could stall ongoing projects and weaken the district’s bargaining power at the federal level.

The call, however, comes amid early political alignments within the APC and across other parties, as aspirants begin to position themselves ahead of 2027. While the party has yet to outline its nomination process, analysts say internal democracy and zoning considerations are likely to shape eventual outcomes.

Observers also note that demands for automatic tickets often generate debate within party structures, particularly among aspirants who may view such moves as limiting competition and inclusiveness.

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Nonetheless, supporters of the Deputy Senate President appear determined to consolidate his position early, leveraging his current office and perceived development footprint to build consensus ahead of the party’s primaries.

With more than a year before formal campaign activities begin, political watchers say the coming months will test the APC’s ability to balance internal interests while managing growing pressure from influential blocs seeking to shape candidate selection.

For Kano North, the unfolding debate signals the start of what could be a closely watched contest—not necessarily at the polls, but within party ranks where the real battle for the 2027 ticket may be decided.