The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, and the immediate past Chairman of the Kano state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Abbas, on Monday threw their weight behind the candidacy of Rabiu Suleiman Bichi for the vacant deputy governor’s position.
Their endorsement was conveyed in a statement signed by the Organising Secretary of the APC Legacy Group, Malam Indo Kwarin Albarka, which was made available to newsmen in Abuja.
Albarka explained that Bichi’s nomination was a strategic move capable of uniting party members across Kano.
He said the motion to appoint Bichi as deputy governor during the stakeholders’ meeting was moved by the former APC chairman in the state, Abbas, and seconded by the deputy state chairman, Salisu Maje Ahmad Gwangwazo.
According to the statement, Bichi’s choice “remains the only option to knit together APC supporters in Kano,” stressing that his emergence would strengthen cohesion within the party ahead of future political engagements.
The APC Legacy Group further noted that “Engr. (Dr.) Rabiu Suleiman Bichi is widely regarded as a nominee of exceptional maturity and experience, possessing a rare ‘trifecta’ of leadership across state, federal, and development sectors.”
Gwammaja highlighted Bichi’s extensive public service record, stating that “Bichi’s distinguished career includes serving as the Managing Director of the Urban Development Bank of Nigeria (UDBN), Managing Director of KNUPDA, Honourable Commissioner, and Secretary to the State Government (SSG) under two administrations.”
He added that Bichi currently serves as the Managing Director of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), a position the group said further demonstrates his administrative competence and leadership capacity.
The statement also emphasised that Bichi’s credentials place him in a strong position to effectively support the governor, noting that his experience cuts across key sectors relevant to governance and development.
It concluded that Bichi’s profile reflects “the age, academic credentials, and administrative sagacity required for this exalted position,” urging party stakeholders to rally behind his candidacy for the overall interest of the APC in Kano State.
The Legacy Group dismissed as fabricated reports of voting during the enlarged stakeholders’ meetings last weekend, adding that the other two contenders to the throne were nominated for submission to the Kano state governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to choose one.
He said the clarification becomes necessary following desperate attempt by some group to blackmail and hoodwinked the general public on facts of what transpired.
Malam Albarka expressed confidence that Suleiman Bichi will emerge as the choice against the backdrop of the popularity he enjoys across stakeholders.
