Leader of Kwankwasiyya movement and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, don announce Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo as Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate for Kano State ahead 2027 elections. Kwankwaso also name Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna as party candidate for Kano Central Senatorial District.
Di announcement come inside statement wey Kwankwaso share for im official X handle on Friday. He say di choices come after consultations inside party and based on equity, fairness, loyalty and competence. Di statement read: “I am delighted to announce that His Excellency, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo has been selected as our Kano NDC gubernatorial candidate for di upcoming elections. Similarly, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna will contest for di Kano Central Senatorial Seat. Dis decision was made in di spirit of equity, fairness, loyalty, and competence — values wey remain central to our party and Kwankwasiyya progress and unity.”
Kwankwaso also express optimism ahead of party affirmation exercise and pray for peaceful process and victory for elections. “As we proceed with today affirmation exercise, I pray for a seamless, peaceful, and successful process. May Almighty Allah grant us resounding victory in di forthcoming elections,” he state.
Gwarzo be close ally of Kwankwaso and serve as Deputy Governor of Kano State under Governor Abba Yusuf before he leave office. He previously hold position of Commissioner for State Affairs during Kwankwaso administration and also serve as Chairman of Gwarzo Local Government Area. He resign as deputy governor after Yusuf defect to All Progressive Congress before later join African Democratic Congress alongside Kwankwaso and subsequently move to NDC.
Gawuna, on di other hand, serve as Deputy Governor of Kano State during administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. He contest di 2023 governorship election for Kano as candidate of All Progressives Congress.
According to Daily Trust, di path don clear for Gwarzo to emerge as NDC governorship candidate, following indications say Gawuna don accept party offer of Senate ticket. Tahir Ahmad, close associate and former Special Adviser to Gawuna, tell Daily Trust say di former deputy governor agree to contest for Kano Central Senatorial seat on NDC platform. Di development go bring end to weeks of internal consultations inside Kwankwasiyya movement over choice of consensus governorship candidate.
Sources inside di movement earlier disclose say Kwankwaso favour Gwarzo for governorship ticket and offer Gawuna either deputy governorship slot or Kano Central Senate ticket. Gawuna reported acceptance of senatorial ticket effectively pave way for Gwarzo emergence as party governorship flagbearer. Party insiders say formal announcement of consensus candidate, wey don delay by Gawuna hesitation over available options, now expected imminently.
NDC don rapidly emerge as major opposition force for Kano following Kwankwaso defection to di party earlier dis month alongside serving senator, four members of House of Representatives and several state assembly lawmakers. If confirm as party candidate, Gwarzo go face im former principal, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, for what fit become one of di most keenly contested governorship races for di state. Di two politicians jointly secure governorship ticket of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) ahead 2023 elections before subsequent political realignments place dem on opposing political paths.
Gwarzo resign from office last month after Kano State House of Assembly initiate impeachment proceedings against am over allegations of financial misconduct. He consistently maintain say im resignation no be admission of wrongdoing and don deny any misconduct. He also decline to follow Governor Yusuf to APC, decision wey political observers believe fit don contribute to im political challenges.
Meanwhile, Kwankwaso announce say NDC go today formally affirm all dia candidates for Kano State, from State House of Assembly to presidential ticket. For short video message wey circulate to party supporters, di Kwankwasiyya leader say all party tickets for di state resolve through consensus arrangement, stressing say former aspirants agree to work together for interest of party unity and electoral success. According to am, di consensus process aim to strengthen party ahead forthcoming elections and prevent internal divisions wey fit undermine im chances at polls.
Di announcement appear to confirm reports say outstanding disputes over key positions, including governorship ticket, don resolve inside party leadership. With Gawuna now reportedly settle on Senate race and party set to ratify dia candidates, attention don shift to Kwankwasiyya leadership as supporters await formal unveiling of Gwarzo as NDC governorship candidate for Kano State.
