The path appears to have cleared for the immediate past Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, to emerge as the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in the state.
This follows indications that his major rival, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, has accepted the party’s offer to contest for the Kano Central Senatorial seat on the NDC platform.
Tahir Ahmad, a close associate and former Special Adviser to Gawuna, confirmed that the former deputy governor had agreed to run for the Senate instead of pursuing the governorship ticket.
The development is expected to end weeks of internal consultations within the Kwankwasiyya movement, led by former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over who should emerge as the party’s consensus governorship candidate.
Sources within the movement had earlier disclosed that Kwankwaso favoured Gwarzo for the governorship ticket and offered Gawuna either the deputy governorship slot or the Kano Central Senate ticket.
Gawuna’s reported acceptance of the senatorial ticket has now effectively paved the way for Gwarzo’s emergence as the NDC governorship flagbearer in Kano.
Party insiders said the formal announcement of the consensus candidate, which had been delayed by Gawuna’s hesitation over the available options, is expected soon.
The NDC has rapidly emerged as a major opposition force in Kano following Kwankwaso’s defection to the party earlier this month alongside a serving senator, four members of the House of Representatives and several state assembly lawmakers.
If confirmed as the party’s candidate, Gwarzo is expected to face his former principal, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, in what could become one of the most closely watched governorship contests in the state.
Gwarzo and Yusuf jointly won the 2023 governorship election on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party before later political realignments placed them on opposing sides.
Gwarzo resigned as deputy governor last month after the Kano State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against him over allegations of financial misconduct.
He has denied wrongdoing, insisting that his resignation was not an admission of guilt. He also declined to follow Governor Yusuf to the All Progressives Congress, a decision political observers believe contributed to his political troubles.
Meanwhile, Kwankwaso has announced that the NDC will formally affirm all its candidates in Kano State, from the State House of Assembly to the presidential ticket.
In a short video message circulated to supporters, the Kwankwasiyya leader said all party tickets in the state had been resolved through consensus, adding that former aspirants had agreed to work together in the interest of party unity and electoral success.
According to him, the consensus arrangement was designed to strengthen the party ahead of the elections and prevent internal divisions that could weaken its chances.
With Gawuna now reportedly settled for the Senate race and the party set to ratify its candidates, attention has shifted to the formal unveiling of Gwarzo as the NDC governorship candidate for Kano State.
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