Ahead of the 2027 general election, the prospects of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf returning to office have received a significant boost, with a clear assurance that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will emerge victorious in Kano State. Passing a vote of confidence on Governor Yusuf, the Executive Director of Finance at the Hadejia Jama'are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), Dr. Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, insisted that no amount of opposition can prevent Governor Yusuf from realizing his second-term ambition.
Response to Gwarzo's Claims
This statement appears to be a response to comments attributed to former deputy governor and governorship aspirant of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, who claimed that Yusuf would be defeated in 2027. However, Kwankwaso, in a statement issued from Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, argued that the governor has fulfilled more than 90 percent of his campaign promises, citing unmatched achievements over the past three years in office.
Key Achievements Highlighted
According to Kwankwaso, the governor's landmark accomplishments span several key sectors, particularly education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social welfare, which naturally give him an edge for an unstoppable return in 2027. Kwankwaso specifically pointed to the governor's unprecedented declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector and his consistent allocation of nearly a third of the state's annual budget to education.
This, the APC chieftain explained, led to the recruitment of over 10,000 qualified teachers, the distribution of hundreds of thousands of three-seater desks and chairs, and free uniforms to public schools, in addition to providing robust local and international scholarships to deserving students of the state.
Infrastructure and Utilities
During the past three years, Kwankwaso further noted, Governor Yusuf completed and reconstructed hundreds of kilometers of urban and rural roads, including major bridge and interchange projects and the dualization of major roads across the state. The administration also tackled prevailing power and water shortages in Kano by, among other measures, launching a 500-transformer rollout and revitalizing the Tamburawa Water Treatment Plant to boost state-wide clean water supply.
Healthcare and Social Welfare
In healthcare, the governor upgraded over 200 primary healthcare centers across all 44 local government areas, established the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), and mandated free cesarean section services in public hospitals. On workers' welfare and pensions, Governor Yusuf initiated the clearance of the N48 billion backlog of unpaid pensions and gratuities, with over N27 billion already disbursed to retirees.
Youth and Women Empowerment
Kwankwaso also cited youth and women empowerment initiatives, noting that Governor Yusuf launched a N2.3 billion livestock entrepreneurship program, distributed thousands of start-up kits and livestock to women and vulnerable groups, and provided direct financial grants to support small businesses. He then highlighted the governor's recent achievement in ensuring a hitch-free consensus and primary election for various positions on the platform of the APC.
This feat, Kwankwaso said, has further boosted Governor Yusuf's credentials, which will earn him re-election in 2027.
