A major Kano state forum of APC stakeholders has thrown its weight behind former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Murtala Sule Garo as the frontrunner to fill the vacant deputy governorship seat, signaling a strong push for consensus within the party.
At a late night strategy meeting, Saturday, party heavyweights overwhelmingly backed the Garo, revealing “he secured about 90% endorsement from attendees—especially from the influential old bloc.”
Leading the charge, former House of Representatives Majority Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, urged Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to pick Garo, describing him as a loyal, tested, and grassroots-driven politician.
Speaking about the meeting, the lawmaker said: “Garo is the most suitable candidate. He has remained consistent, patient, and loyal. This is the kind of support the governor needs at a critical time,” Doguwa declared.
The endorsement comes amid moves to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Deputy Governor Abdussalam Aminu Gwarzo, with the governor consulting key APC blocs to ensure unity.
Although stakeholders submitted three names, including Garo, Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, and Kabiru Alhassan Rurum.
Stakeholders at the meeting, however said deliberations quickly tilted in Garo’s favour, producing near-unanimous backing.
Despite the inclusive nomination process, deliberations at the meeting reportedly produced a near-consensus in favour of Garo, who was said to have secured about 90 per cent support from attendees.
Prominent stakeholders said to have endorsed his candidacy include former Kano state governor and ex-APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; former deputy governor and Former Minister of State for Housing, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo; Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila; Hon. Mariya Bunkure, Minister of State FCT; Senator Garba Lado; APC stalwart AA Zaura; former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly and current Member of Dambatta Makoda Federal Constituency Hamisu Chidari;House of Representatives member, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Hon. Abdulhamin Jibrin Kofa, Hon Abdullahi Sani Rogo, among many others.
Party insiders also credit Garo’s edge to his deep political résumé: from PDP Organising Secretary in 2007 to Special Adviser under Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, ALGON chairman, and two-term Commissioner. He also served as APC’s deputy governorship candidate in 2023.
With no current office holding him back, stakeholders see Garo as a seamless fit capable of stepping in without disrupting governance.
It was also said that his emergence could reinforce APC unity in Kano and stabilize the state’s political landscape at a crucial moment.
