Shekarau holds talks with Yusuf on possible return to APC
Former Kano State Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has held serious talks with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reportedly on his possible return to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The meeting, held
- From Fanen Ihyongo, Kano
Former Kano State Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has held serious talks with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reportedly on his possible return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The meeting, held closed-door, is part of ongoing political realignments in Kano state, with Shekarau hinting at leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but ruling out joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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Shekarau, a respected elder statesman, is seen as a potential game-changer, and his return to the APC could significantly impact the 2027 elections.
Governor Yusuf, who recently defected from the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) to the APC, is keen on strengthening his position and securing support for his re-election and President Bola Tinubu's second term bid in the populous state.
Shekarau, hosting Governor Yusuf, alongside APC Chairman Umar Haruna Doguwa and the Commissioner for Transportation Barr. Haruna Isa Dederi, at his Kano residence on Sunday evening, appeared to be a strategic move toward assuring Shekarau of his safety should he rejoins the ruling party.
While Shekarau has not made a public declaration, insiders suggest serious negotiations are ongoing.
It was gathered, Shekarau, a former Education minister, has reached the decision after meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos at the invitation of the president.
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Malam Shekarau's spokesman Sule Yau Sule on Tuesday confirmed his principal's recent meetings with Governor Yusuf and President Tinubu to newsmen, saying the final decision on Shekarau’s next political destination would be made public after consultations are finalised.
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The Kwankwasiyya Movement led by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had wooed Shekarau for an alignment with the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) but Shekarau refused, preferring a different platform, it was learnt.
At the peak of controversy that surrounded Governor Yusuf’s defection to APC, Malam Shekarau publicly defended the governor's decision to defect from the NNPP to the ruling party, stating it was his legitimate exercise of his political rights.
Shekarau dismissed allegations of betrayal made by Rabiu Kwankwaso, citing that political realignments are normal and that Kwankwaso himself had previously defected.
It was gathered Shekarau had left the APC when Kwankwaso joined the party and dominated it at his detriment, which is why he turned down Kwankwaso's recent invitation to ADC, preferring to realign with the APC.
Our sources said Shekarau’s meeting with Governor Yusuf on his possible realignment with the APC "appeared to be successful."
