Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, including Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin, former governorship candidate Salihu Sagir Takai, and Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, have reportedly rallied behind Kabiru Alhassan Rurum as a leading contender for the vacant deputy governorship position.
The development followed a stakeholders’ meeting held on Sunday night, where three nominees were selected to fill the position left vacant after the resignation of Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo.
The meeting was convened in response to a directive said to have been issued by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, instructing party stakeholders to submit three names for consideration.
Participants at the meeting dismissed circulating reports as “fabricated,” insisting that the governor’s directive was strictly followed.
According to the stakeholders, the governor requested that “three names be proposed and submitted to him, from which one may be considered as the next Deputy Governor.”
The nominees include Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly and current member of the House of Representatives; Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, former Secretary to the State Government and Managing Director of the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority; and Murtala Sule Garo, a former local government chairman and commissioner.
Rurum’s nomination was moved by former APC state secretary Ibrahim Zakari Sarina and seconded by Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Mariya Mahmud Bunkure.
Rabiu Bichi’s nomination was moved by former APC state chairman Abdullahi Abbas and seconded by deputy state chairman Salisu Maje Ahmad Gwangwazo. Murtala Garo was nominated by Alhassan Ado Doguwa and seconded by Labaran Abdul Madari.
During the meeting, Takai and former Secretary to the State Government, Usman Alhaji, advocated for the consideration of Kano South, noting that the zone has not produced either a governor or deputy governor since 1992.
They argued that the zone, with its 16 local government areas and a population exceeding seven million, deserves inclusion.
The meeting also reflected shifting political alliances. Rurum was said to enjoy the backing of key figures including Barau Jibrin, Mariya Mahmud Bunkure, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, Ibrahim Zakari Sarina, Sha’aban Sharada, Bashir Garba Lado, and Yahuza Ado Yan Kaba, among others.
Similarly, Murtala Garo reportedly secured support from Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Abubakar Bichi, Sani Bala, Hamisu Chidari, Abdullahi M. Gwarzo, Abdullahi Rogo, Yusuf Badau, and Abdulsalam Zaura.
Stakeholders confirmed that the list of nominees has been forwarded and now awaits the final decision of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
