Tensions are rising within the Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following a public rejection by former lawmaker Sha’aban Sharada of an alleged endorsement made by ex-Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. The endorsement in question involves Sagir Koki, a House of Representatives member who recently defected from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the APC.
Sharada, who represented Kano Municipal from 2019 to 2023, told Lumana Radio International that Ganduje’s move to back Koki for an automatic ticket bypasses democratic norms and ignores other party members. He warned that such impositions have failed in the past and would likely fail again, referencing the internal crisis that plagued the party during the 2023 elections.
Ganduje, who has faced criticism for his handling of the party in Kano, was previously blamed for the APC’s poor performance in the last general elections. Sharada was part of the G7 group led by former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, which accused Ganduje of sidelining key stakeholders. Sharada left the APC for the African Democratic Party (ADP) to contest the governorship but returned to the APC after the elections.
Last week, Ganduje hosted a four-day strategy meeting at his residence in Kano’s Nasarawa GRA. The gathering brought together party loyalists from all 44 local government areas, with the goal of preparing for the APC’s December congress and the 2027 primaries. However, notable absentees included Sharada, two APC senators Abdulrahman Sumaila and Barau Jibrin House of Representatives member Abdulmumin Jibrin, and several other prominent figures.
During the meeting, Ganduje’s supporters called for the reinstatement of the 2023 party leadership structure and the return of Nasiru Gawuna as the party’s governorship candidate. Ganduje emphasized that the meeting was meant to rebuild unity within the party and reaffirm support for President Bola Tinubu.
He announced plans for each local government to publicly endorse Tinubu as the APC’s sole presidential candidate for 2027 and ordered the reopening of all party offices across the state to boost grassroots engagement.
Despite Ganduje’s efforts to consolidate control, the absence of key figures and Sharada’s open criticism suggest that internal divisions remain unresolved within the Kano APC.
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