The path appears to have cleared for the immediate past Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, to emerge as the governorship candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), following indications that his main rival, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, has accepted the party’s offer of a Senate ticket.
Tahir Ahmad, a close associate and former Special Adviser to Gawuna, told Daily Trust that the former deputy governor had agreed to contest for the Kano Central Senatorial seat on the NDC platform.
The development is expected to bring an end to weeks of internal consultations within the Kwankwasiyya movement, led by former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over the choice of a consensus governorship candidate.
Sources within the movement had earlier disclosed that Kwankwaso favoured Gwarzo for the governorship ticket and offered Gawuna either the deputy governorship slot or the Kano Central Senate ticket.
Gawuna’s reported acceptance of the senatorial ticket effectively paves the way for Gwarzo’s emergence as the party’s governorship flagbearer.
Party insiders said the formal announcement of the consensus candidate, which had been delayed by Gawuna’s hesitation over the available options, is now expected imminently.
The NDC has rapidly emerged as a major opposition force in Kano following Kwankwaso’s defection to the party earlier this month alongside a serving senator, four members of the House of Representatives and several state assembly lawmakers.
If confirmed as the party’s candidate, Gwarzo is expected to face his former principal, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, in what could become one of the most keenly contested governorship races in the state.
The two politicians jointly secured the governorship ticket of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) ahead of the 2023 elections before subsequent political realignments placed them on opposing political paths.
Gwarzo resigned from office last month after the Kano State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against him over allegations of financial misconduct.
He has consistently maintained that his resignation was not an admission of wrongdoing and has denied any misconduct. He also declined to follow Governor Yusuf to the APC, a decision political observers believe may have contributed to his political challenges.
Meanwhile, Kwankwaso has announced that the NDC will today formally affirm all its candidates in Kano State, from the State House of Assembly to the presidential ticket.
In a short video message circulated to party supporters, the Kwankwasiyya leader said all party tickets in the state were resolved through a consensus arrangement, stressing that former aspirants had agreed to work together in the interest of party unity and electoral success.
According to him, the consensus process was aimed at strengthening the party ahead of the forthcoming elections and preventing internal divisions that could undermine its chances at the polls.
The announcement appears to confirm reports that outstanding disputes over key positions, including the governorship ticket, have been resolved within the party leadership.
With Gawuna now reportedly settled on the Senate race and the party set to ratify its candidates, attention has shifted to the Kwankwasiyya leadership as supporters await the formal unveiling of Gwarzo as the NDC governorship candidate for Kano State.
