The resignation of former Kano State Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has triggered fresh political permutations in the state, with Jibril Isma’il Falgore and Murtala Sule Garo emerging as leading contenders for the vacant seat.
Sources who spoke with Daily Trust said other names being considered include Kabiru Ado Lakwaya, a former Commissioner for Youths under ex-governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; the Kano State Chairperson of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Hajiya Sa’adatu Salisu Yushau; and former governorship candidate, Salihu Sagir Takai.
The development comes amid fresh realignments within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano following Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s move to the party.
Although party stakeholders are said to have agreed to work together ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with the aim of confronting the candidate of former governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, conflicting interests persist within the fold.
Governor Yusuf is believed to have a preferred candidate, but sources said he must also weigh the interests of key party leaders, including former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, and others.
Pressure Mounts Over Choice
At the centre of the unfolding power play is Governor Yusuf, who is expected to navigate competing interests within the ruling APC.
Complicating the process are allegations by some stakeholders that powerful political figures are mounting pressure to influence the governor’s choice.
In an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, a group of concerned citizens alleged attempts to impose a candidate facing corruption charges.
The group warned that such interference could undermine democratic principles and create what it described as a “backdoor immunity arrangement.”
Though there has been no official confirmation of the allegation, the claim reflects growing anxiety within political circles over the transparency of the selection process.
What initially appeared to be a routine constitutional replacement has, however, developed into a high-stakes political battle shaped by party calculations, legal concerns, regional balancing and the wider struggle for control ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Gwarzo’s resignation, which followed impeachment threats by the Kano State House of Assembly, is also said to have disrupted an already fragile political balance in the state.
Before stepping down, the Assembly had commenced impeachment proceedings against him over allegations of misconduct linked to his tenure as commissioner. The lawmakers, however, dropped the plan after his resignation, effectively ending the matter politically but leaving behind a vacuum with wider implications.
Politically, the development is said to have opened what insiders described as a strategic window for recalibrating alliances within Kano’s power structure.
Garo Banks On Grassroots Strength
Among the contenders, Garo is said to have emerged as a strong force, backed by a solid grassroots network and deep familiarity with Kano politics.
A former Commissioner for Local Government and deputy governorship candidate in 2023, Garo is widely regarded as a mobiliser with considerable influence at ward and local government levels.
“Garo understands Kano politics from the bottom, up. He has the structure and the loyalty of many grassroots actors,” a party insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
However, his aspiration is said to be complicated by alleged corruption proceedings involving the diversion of local government funds.
Commenting on the development, Comrade Bello Abubakar Ginsau of the Kano Governance and Accountability Forum said the timing of any appointment must be carefully handled, warning that accountability should not be sacrificed for political expediency.
Falgore Gets Zoning Backing
Falgore, the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, is also being tipped by supporters as a strong option for the position.
As Speaker, he has played a key role in aligning the legislature with the executive and ensuring the smooth passage of major bills.
His supporters believe his emergence would strengthen executive-legislative cooperation at a critical time.
A pro-government group, the Abba Gida-Gida Intellectual Forum, has openly endorsed his candidacy and cited zoning as a major factor, noting that Kano South, Falgore’s base, has not produced a deputy governor since 1999.
Though not as prominent as Falgore and Garo, Lakwaya is also mentioned in the succession debate.
A former Commissioner for Youth and Sports under Ganduje, Lakwaya is known for youth engagement and development initiatives.
He has also played an active role in party mobilisation, especially among young voters and grassroots structures, and is seen by some as a rising political figure capable of balancing generational interests within the state. He is from Kano North.
Sa’adatu Yushau Salisu, the ALGON chairperson in Kano and Chairperson of Tudun Wada Local Government Area, is also being touted as a grassroots mobiliser with influence across the 44 local councils.
Analysts who spoke with Daily Trust say her leadership role within ALGON has boosted her profile as an advocate of local governance and women’s participation in politics.
“Her emergence would send a strong signal on inclusivity, while also addressing agitation from Kano South,” a political observer said.
If appointed, she would become Kano’s first female deputy governor and only the second in the North-West.
However, there are concerns over whether the political establishment in the state is prepared to support a woman for such a strategic office.
Takai, a former gubernatorial candidate under different political platforms, has also entered the conversation.
Having contested under the ANPP in 2011 and the PDP in 2015, he is regarded as a seasoned politician with longstanding ties to influential power brokers.
He is said to command a loyal following and is being projected in some quarters as a compromise candidate by stakeholders seeking to balance competing interests.
Analysts, however, note that his past electoral defeats may count against him, even though his experience remains a strong point.
With the major contenders largely linked to Kano South, the debate has further increased pressure on Governor Yusuf to factor regional balancing into his final decision.
