In a significant political development in Kano State, Engr. Umar Abdullahi Umar, the Executive Director of Technical Services at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and son of former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, has strengthened the ruling party's position through massive youth empowerment and political defections.
Massive Youth Empowerment Initiative
More than 3,000 supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across Kano State's 44 local government areas received substantial empowerment packages aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and creating self-reliance. The distribution ceremony took place at the Armani Event Centre in Kano on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
The comprehensive empowerment items included:
- Tricycles and mini-trucks for transportation
- Fertilizers and herbicides for crop production
- Improved seedlings and irrigation pumps
- Agro-processing machines and solar-powered equipment
- Various modern farming tools designed to enhance productivity
Political Defections Strengthen APC
Immediately following the empowerment distribution, Engr. Umar welcomed at least 500 members of the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) who formally defected to the APC. The defectors were received with assurances of equal treatment and full integration into the party structure.
While receiving the new members, Umar commended their courage to "see the truth and join APC as the strongest party in Africa." He emphasized that the party would treat all defectors as bona fide members without any form of discrimination.
Continuation of Empowerment Programs
This latest initiative continues Engr. Umar Abdullahi Umar's pattern of community development activities in Kano State. Previously, he had distributed 160 units of solar home systems to small-scale business operators in the state, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope agenda.
Earlier, during Ramadan, Ganduje's son had also distributed 3,627 bags of rice to residents of Dawakin-Tofa in Kano to support them during the holy month. He had assured the community of the Tinubu administration's commitment to addressing economic challenges while announcing upcoming empowerment programs.
The Chief Press Secretary to the former APC Chairman, Edwin Olofu, confirmed these developments in an official statement released on Monday, November 17, 2025, from Abuja. Former Commissioner Shehu Haruna Lambu praised Ganduje for his consistent support and urged constituents to support his future political ambitions.
