Kano metropolis was brought to a standstill on Saturday as thousands of All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters packed the Sanni Abacha Stadium and surrounding roads to welcome a wave of high-profile defectors into the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Streets around Kofar Mata, Kanti Kwari, Kurmi markets and IBB Way were jammed with singing, dancing and flag-waving crowds. Traders did brisk business selling snacks, drinks and souvenirs as the atmosphere turned electric when a long convoy arrived carrying Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, former national chairman Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and other party leaders.
The rally formally received into the APC fold Senators Rufa’i Sani Hanga, Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya and Mas’ud El-Jibrin Doguwa, along with former PDP deputy governorship candidate Senator Baraka Sani, former Kano State House of Assembly Speaker Yusuf Bello Danbatta, former Ungogo Local Government chairman Isyaku Ali Danja, NNPP faction leaders Ali Datti Yako and others, including former NNPP senatorial candidate Abdulmajid Dauda Dandawaki and former presidential special adviser Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya. The defectors arrived with large contingents of supporters from across the state.
Governor Yusuf described the mass movement as clear evidence of the APC’s growing acceptance in Kano. He said the development would strengthen the party ahead of 2027 and urged the new members to remain committed to peace, unity and the progress of the state and Nigeria.
“The APC remains a broad platform for all members to contribute meaningfully to the development of Kano State and Nigeria,” the governor said, calling on stakeholders to work together to promote stability.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Senator Hanga pledged full commitment to the APC and vowed to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Yusuf to secure victory in the 2027 elections. The new members said their decision stemmed from confidence in the leadership of the president and the governor, as well as a desire to support Kano’s development.
The event also featured the formal unveiling of the Tinubu Support Campaign Council. Dr Ganduje told the crowd that the massive turnout showed the Renewed Hope Agenda was gaining widespread support in Kano and across Nigeria, describing President Tinubu as a progressive leader with a clear vision for sustainable national development.
APC sources described the Kano rally as a test run for the party’s presidential campaign machinery. Campaigning for the presidential and National Assembly elections officially began on August 19. The ruling party has constituted a high-powered campaign council with President Tinubu as chairman and Vice President Kashim Shettima as vice chairman. Party Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda also serves as vice chairman, while former Zamfara governor Senator Abdulaziz Yari is director-general. Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma is secretary, with Senator Ajibola Bashiru and Hadiza Bala-Usman as deputy and assistant secretaries respectively.
A body of advisers includes Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and Senator Florence Ita Giwa. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni serve as deputy director-generals for the south and north zones, working alongside Senators Bamidele Opeyemi and Jibrin Barau. Additional key roles have been assigned for mobilisation, administration, election planning, legal affairs and media/strategic communication under various directors and deputies.
