Kano Governor Yusuf welcomes Shekarau back to APC
• State helmsman says party now most dominant force in Kano • Ruling party‘ll go into 2027 polls stronger, more united, says Otu A realignment of forces which has been
• State helmsman says party now most dominant force in Kano
• Ruling party‘ll go into 2027 polls stronger, more united, says Otu
A realignment of forces which has been in the offing yesterday crystalised in Kano.
A former governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, retraced his steps from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) along with his followers.
He was welcomed back to the fold by the state party leader, Governor Abba Yusuf.
Lauding Shekarau for his bold decision to call it quits with the PDP, Yusuf said with his return, APC had become the most dominant force in Kano.
Also in Cross River State, Governor Bassey Otu said the party would go into next year’s polls stronger and more united.
Yusuf, who described Shekarau’s defection as “a major boost to the party’s strength”.
He said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mustapha Muhammad, that a date would be fixed, in consultation with the APC national secretariat, for Shekarau’s reception into the party.
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Shekarau, a two-term governor and a member of APC at inception, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when his predecessor and successor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, joined the party.
Both of them are political foes who detest being in the same party together.
Shekarau, who was being wooed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), signalled his intention to join the APC immediately Kwankwaso joined the ADC.
The former governor had complained that PDP was infested with a very serious cancer.
However, his defection followed the consultative visit of the party’s national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, to his Kano residence.
Yusuf said the APC in Kano is witnessing “growing support and consolidation,” adding that it is positioning itself as the most dominant political force in the state.
He added: “The APC remains battle-ready to win all elective positions in the forthcoming elections.”
The governor said unity and strategic alignments are key factors driving the party’s confidence.
He assured party members of the leadership’s commitment to strengthening internal cohesion and expanding the party’s grassroots base across the 44 local government areas.
Yusuf urged party faithful to remain steadfast and intensify mobilisation as APC prepares for next years contests.
Victory sure for APC in Cross River, says Otu
Otu said the victory of the APC is sure in Cross River.
He urged party members not to relent in their commitment.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, spoke during the 1.5 million-man march in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the governor in Ikom metropolis.
The march was organised by ‘Prince Otu is Coming Organisation’.
Otu said the party is also banking on federal projects and governance records to strengthen its position in the state.
He however, urged party faithful and aspirants to shun divisive tendencies and embrace unity.
Otu said: “We belong to one political family. There is no need for quarrels or divisions. Everyone has the right to aspire, and at the appropriate time, we will sit together and resolve all issues as one united family.”
The rally, which attracted a massive turnout of supporters, stakeholders and party leaders, underscored the growing political momentum in the state.
The governor highlighted key achievements of the administration, particularly in the area of workers’ welfare.
He said his administration had released money to offset gratuities owed since 2007 and assured that additional funds would be released before mid-year to clear outstanding payments. Otu urged residents to obtain their permanent voter cards (PVCs) and actively participate in the electoral process.
He said Cross River anticipates three million votes for Tinubu in 2027.
The Coordinator of Renewed Hope Ambassadors in the state, Mr Soni Abang, said that future political campaigns would be anchored on tangible achievements rather than campaign promises.
He said the era of speculative campaign pledges is giving way to performance-based engagements where leaders will present completed and ongoing projects to the electorate.
Abang added: “It is not going to be a campaign of we will do this or that. It will be a campaign of project inspection and commissioning. We want the people to see what has been done.”
He expressed confidence in the leadership of the president, noting that despite prevailing global economic challenges, the administration’s reforms were beginning to stabilise key sectors, including food supply and infrastructural development.
The Coordinator added that the Federal Government’s commitment to long-term infrastructure projects across the country was a demonstration of strategic planning aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s economy.
The Director-General of the organisation, Mr Emmanuel Ironbar, called for door-to-door campaigns and deeper grassroots mobilisation ahead of the elections.
Ironbar, who is also the Chief of Staff to the governor, urged supporters to remain focused and embrace peaceful and issue-based politics, while rejecting misinformation, slander and divisive rhetoric.
