Shekarau Poised for APC Return Amid Strategic Political Realignments
In a significant political development, former Kano State governor Ibrahim Shekarau is reportedly in the final stages of consultations to rejoin the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This strategic move is widely seen as a calculated effort to bolster the party's position ahead of the 2027 general elections. Shekarau, a former Minister of Education and a key member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, has been engaged in high-level discussions to facilitate this transition.
High-Profile Meetings Signal Political Shift
Reliable sources indicate that Shekarau held a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos during the Easter break. This meeting, initiated at the President's invitation and supported by various APC stakeholders, was aimed at strengthening the party's influence in Kano State. Following this, Shekarau hosted Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano at his residence, alongside State APC Chairman Umar Haruna Doguwa and Commissioner for Transportation Haruna Isa Dederi. This visit appears to be part of a concerted effort to integrate another political heavyweight into the APC fold.
The governor's outreach comes just two weeks after Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, visited Shekarau at his Mundubawa residence. Kwankwaso sought to align Shekarau with the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) against the APC. Although this attempt did not succeed, Kwankwaso managed to secure the support of Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, a close ally of Shekarau and former deputy governor under Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Gawuna has since resigned from his Federal Government appointment on the board of the Federal Mortgage Bank and joined the ADC, after previously contesting the governorship election under the APC against Governor Yusuf of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP).
Kano Assembly Withdraws Impeachment Notice Against Gwarzo
In a parallel development, the Kano State House of Assembly has officially withdrawn its impeachment notice against former Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo. This decision was announced exactly one month after the notice was served. During a plenary session presided over by Speaker Jibril Isma'il, Majority Leader Lawan Hussaini moved a motion to withdraw the notice, citing that the process was no longer necessary following Gwarzo's resignation on March 4.
The Assembly had initially accused Gwarzo of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust, issuing a two-week ultimatum for him to defend himself. Subsequently, 38 APC lawmakers signed the impeachment notice in a motion led by Majority Leader Lawan Husaini of Dala State Constituency. Notably, the only two NNPP representatives in the Assembly refused to sign the notice, highlighting partisan divisions within the legislative body.
This withdrawal marks a significant resolution to the impeachment proceedings, which had been a point of contention in Kano's political landscape. The move underscores the Assembly's decision to close the chapter on Gwarzo's tenure, allowing the state to focus on other pressing governance issues.
