Deputy Senate President Barau Welcomes Shekarau and Gwarzo to APC, Citing Boost for 2027 Elections
The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau I. Jibrin, has officially welcomed two prominent political figures, former Governor of Kano State Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and former Chief Whip of the Senate Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, into the All Progressives Congress (APC). This significant move follows their recent resignations from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State, which they attributed to ongoing internal leadership crises within the opposition party.
Barau Hails Defection as a Progressive Alignment
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Senator Barau described the defection as a major enhancement to the APC's strength and electoral prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections. "I welcome the former Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, to the largest political party in Africa, the APC. These distinguished politicians are true progressives, and this is where they rightfully belong. Progressive politicians will always align with a progressive political party, APC," Senator Barau emphasized.
Senator Barau, who also serves as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, expressed strong confidence that with continued grassroots support in Kano State, the APC is well-positioned to secure victories across presidential, governorship, and parliamentary races in 2027. He further noted that the increasing trend of defections from opposition parties to the APC reflects growing confidence in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kano State Governor Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Shekarau's Defection Details and Rationale
After months of speculation, former Kano Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and former Senator representing Kano North Senatorial district Bello Hayatu Gwarzo formally joined the APC on Sunday, significantly bolstering the ruling party's influence in the state. Shekarau's eventual move to the APC came following persistent lobbying by the National Chairman of the ruling party, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who visited his private residence in Kano.
The former Minister of Education, who had also visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a few weeks earlier, pledged to disclose his next steps after extensive consultations. Addressing hundreds of supporters at his residence on Sunday, Shekarau revealed that the APC remains the only reliable and viable platform to advance his political ambitions among other options.
"We weighed several options after realizing that PDP has permanently crashed out as a Political Party. The choice of APC became a readily available option that I and my supporters agreed to join," Shekarau stated. He explained that prior to accepting the move, he consulted with his Shura Council, elders committee, board members, and all other key stakeholders in his movement, adding that the decision to join the APC was a consensus among all parties involved in the decision-making process.
"We have fervently prayed, deliberated on our movements, made serious contacts, talked to everybody, and finally accepted and agreed to decamp to APC, which is today the best Party that cares for Nigerians," Shekarau affirmed.
Rejection of Alternative Parties
When questioned about the choice of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Shekarau posited that the coalition is congested with individuals pursuing personal interests rather than the broader interests of Nigerians. "We cannot rely on ADC, a party filled up with people of personal interests, a party struggling to have their feet, a party facing huge legal problems, and a Party that is having their leaders struggling for positions," Shekarau said, underscoring his commitment to a more stable and progressive political environment.
