Political drama is unfolding in Kano State as loyalists of former Deputy Governor Nasiru Gawuna intensify appeals for him to reject the reported offer of a governorship ticket from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Reports indicate that the ADC has been making concerted efforts to persuade Gawuna, the 2023 All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, to contest the 2027 Kano gubernatorial election under its banner.
The party has reportedly offered far-reaching political concessions, including automatic nominations for State House of Assembly and House of Representatives seats for some of Gawuna's loyalists. Former Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal and former ambassador Faruk Yabo are said to be spearheading these efforts to bring Gawuna into the party.
Supporters Fear ADC Ticket Is a Trap
However, supporters who spoke with Legit.ng expressed strong opposition to the move. Malam Bala Sani, a 44-year-old trader and long-time Gawuna supporter, described the ADC offer as a political trap that could jeopardize Gawuna's future. "We followed Gawuna from APC to ADC because he told us it was for the collective good. But this is different. ADC is offering him a governorship ticket now because they want to use him and discard him later. Please, don't do it. Stay with Kwankwaso. That is where our future lies," he pleaded.
Fatima Musa, a women's group leader from Gwale Local Government, echoed similar sentiments. "We have invested our hopes in him. My sisters and I worked day and night to mobilize votes for Gawuna in 2023. ADC is an unknown quantity in Kano. They do not have the structure; they do not have the grassroots. If Gawuna accepts their ticket, he will be starting from zero. We are begging him, do not abandon us," she said.
Loyalists Threaten to Abandon Gawuna
Other supporters expressed concern that accepting the ADC offer would be seen as a betrayal of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, whom Gawuna has publicly pledged loyalty to after joining the ADC earlier this year. Comrade Usman Ado, a youth mobilizer from Nasarawa LGA, warned of severe political ramifications. "Kwankwaso is our political father. Gawuna pledged loyalty to him when he joined ADC before moving to NDC. Now the same party is offering him the governorship ticket, knowing that Kwankwaso has other plans. This is a divide-and-rule tactic. If he accepts, he will lose the respect of millions of Kwankwasiyya faithful across Kano. Please, I urge him to reject this offer before it is too late," he warned.
Malam Kabiru Sani, a political ally and grassroots organizer from Gwale LGA, delivered a blunt ultimatum. "We have been with him through thick and thin. But we have our limits. If he accepts ADC's governorship offer, he will be going alone. We will not follow him. We did not leave APC to end up in another party that does not know its left from its right. Kano politics is not a game. Please, we are begging Gawuna to listen to the voice of his people," he said.
Gawuna's Political Journey
Gawuna, who served as deputy governor under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, was the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 election, polling 890,705 votes to finish second behind incumbent Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. He officially joined the ADC in March 2026 after resigning from the APC, pledging loyalty to Senator Kwankwaso. However, Gawuna was later tipped as a potential governorship candidate under the Nigeria Democratic Congress before Kwankwaso settled for his longtime ally, Aminu Abdussalam, as the party's governorship candidate.
Kwankwaso Announces NDC Kano Candidate for 2027
Legit.ng earlier reported that former Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso announced Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo as the NDC governorship candidate for the 2027 elections in Kano State. He also named Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna as the party's candidate for the Kano Central senatorial district. According to him, the decisions were based on fairness, loyalty, and competence within the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
